Welcome to DigitalDivide.org/Indonesia
It may seem odd that DigitalDivide.org has identified Indonesia as the best staging ground for the innovations needed to close the Digital Divide. Till recently, the fourth largest country was excluded from growth that is transforming the rest of Asia.
But it is precisely because Indonesia is a kind of digital virgin that it is so appealing. It has the greatest potential now to leapfrog into the ranks of digital innovators.
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As the world's fourth largest nation (235 million inhabitants) it can operate in large economies of scale. It will soon be Southeast Asia's 800 pound gorilla.
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It has a progressive business-friendly government. It is democratic, has an independent central bank, and is a far more open society that most realize. Thus, it is a ripe candidate for creative open-source solutions.
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With 30% mobile penetration, its telecommunications operators are ready to move these users into 3G and other pathways to broadband.
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It is has a more pervasive, and creative developer community than most realize.
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Intergovernmental investors in Jakarta can provide subsidies for public-private partnerships needed to induce commercial providers to serve the poor.
- Indonesia has strengthened its currency, paid debts to the IMF, boosted financial transparency, reduced corruption. It's time for investors to wake up and see the change.
To learn about the IGADD and its July 2007 launch in Indonesia, click here.
