Access to reliable internet remains limited or entirely absent in many rural areas in the world, leaving millions cut off from opportunities in basic human needs, such as education, healthcare, livelihoods, and civic participation. In Indonesia, an archipelagic nation of over 17,000 islands, this digital divide remains a pressing problem. Bridging this gap requires inclusive strategies that prioritize community ownership, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable development. How can this be filled?
Dr. Subekti Priyadharma, a scholar from Universitas Padjadjaran (Unpad) in Indonesia, is one of three recipients of the 2025 FAO/IAMCR Rural Communication Services (RCS) Award for his research on rural connectivity. Titled “Developing a National Strategy for Enabling, Shaping, and Seeding Meaningful Community-Centered Connectivity in Rural Indonesia,” his paper addresses critical challenges in bridging the digital divide for Indonesia’s rural and marginalized communities.
His work will be presented at the RCS special session of the IAMCR 2025 conference and published in a FAO/IAMCR volume to contribute to the global discourse on rural connectivity and development.
The paper is based on a national research initiative conducted from August to December 2024 by a team led by Priyadharma. It combined fieldwork, community interviews, and active participation in rural innovation events like the Rural ICT Camp and National Convening 2024. Grounded in the Theory of Change developed by the Local Networks (LocNet) initiative, the project presented a strategic framework to support Community-Centered Connectivity (CCC), or Internet Komunitas Bermakna in Indonesia. Their goal was to make Internet access meaningful for rural, remote, and marginalized communities. Specifically, connectivity was enabled by removing structural barriers; shaping policies and partnerships that reflect local realities; and seeding community-driven initiatives that can flourish sustainably. Gender equality and inclusivity are emphasized to ensure that women, youth, and marginalized communities are not passive beneficiaries but active participants in shaping their digital future.
The paper puts forward five pillars that address key issues in Internet network utilization and identify five primary stakeholders essential for building a sustainable ecosystem for CCC. It highlights significant opportunities to establish and strengthen inclusive and culturally sensitive community networks, which are vital for enhancing Rural Communication Services (RCS) in Indonesia.
A medium-term action plan priorities for the next five years were outlined, including advocacy for regulatory reforms to recognize diverse community network models, capacity-building initiatives for local communities, promotion of multi-stakeholder coordination platforms, and policies attuned to the cultural needs of rural populations. These measures aim to foster meaningful and sustainable community connectivity that supports Indonesia’s broader development goals.
Dr. Priyadharma leads the Center for Communication, Media, Culture, and Information Systems at Unpad. He also holds a PhD in Media and Communication Science from the University of Erfurt, Germany where he developed a periphery-centric approach to community-driven communication development in his dissertation titled Internet and Social Change in Rural Indonesia. His expertise spans ICT for development, rural digitalization, community networks, and communication for social change, all grounded in participatory research and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Beyond his academic pursuits, Dr. Priyadharma is also active in labor advocacy, serving as Chair of the West Java Chapter of the Campus Workers Union (SPK) which reflects his commitment to social justice both inside and outside the university. His work stands out for its innovative, community-centered approach and its potential to implement CCC in Indonesia and even for communities in other countries.
To learn more about other research initiatives and development programs focusing on RCS, visit the CCComdev website.
References:
International Association for Media and Communication Research. (2025). RCS awards 2025. Retrieved from https://iamcr.org/awards/RCS-award-2025
Sambale, E. (2023, May 15). An intermediary role in the knowledge society. Retrieved from
Setiawan, I., Pape, U., Beschorner, N. (2022, May 13). How to bridge the gap in Indonesia’s inequality in internet access. World Bank Blogs. Retrieved from https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/eastasiapacific/how-bridge-gap-indonesias-inequality-internet-access
Article contributed by Maria Soledad, CCComDev intern.
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