ADB backs $150 million fiber broadband push in Indonesia

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $150 million loan to Indonesian broadband provider PT Link Net Tbk (Linknet) to expand fiber internet infrastructure and improve broadband quality across the country, as reported in an official statement published by the ADB. The financing will support Linknet’s nationwide fiber-to-the-home network expansion and back its strategic shift toward a business-to-business, open-access wholesale model. Indonesia’s digital economy is projected to reach $366 billion by 2030 — and closing the broadband gap is central to getting there.

Despite rapid growth in mobile internet since 2015, Indonesia’s fixed broadband market — including fiber networks — still lags behind neighboring countries in adoption, pricing, and access. Complex permit processes and inconsistent fee structures have slowed expansion, leaving many communities and businesses without reliable high-speed connectivity.

ADB Country Director for Indonesia Bobur Alimov described the deal as a step toward “inclusive and equitable access” that would unlock the country’s digital economy potential. Linknet CEO Kanishka Gayan Wickrama welcomed the partnership, saying it would allow the company to offer “cost-efficient and faster services” while accessing longer-term financing aligned with its operational shift. The open-access wholesale model Linknet is advancing is particularly significant for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, which stand to gain the most from affordable, high-quality connectivity.

The investment also carries a climate dimension, incorporating energy-efficient technologies and upgraded network assets in line with Indonesia’s broader sustainability commitments. The government, meanwhile, is developing sector-specific policies to streamline permits and standardize fees — creating a more competitive landscape for fiber broadband providers to operate in.

For a country of Indonesia’s scale and ambition, reliable digital infrastructure is not a luxury — it is the foundation for economic participation, service delivery, and long-term resilience. This deal puts meaningful resources behind that reality.