The Underground Internet of Indonesia: How RT/RW Net Became a Digital Kampung Phenomenon

In the heart of Indonesia’s kampungs, where narrow alleyways weave through tightly packed homes, a unique underground internet economy thrives, RT/RW Net. It’s an internet network built by the people, for the people, without big telecom providers, legal licenses, or corporate oversight. This RT/RW Net , something that might only exist in Indonesia, has become both a solution and a controversy in the country’s digital landscape.

In Indonesia’s digital underground, RT/RW Net is both a lifeline and a controversy. Some see it as a grassroots solution to expensive internet, while others call it illegal piracy. This unique, community-driven internet-sharing system has flourished in neighborhoods where big ISPs have either failed to expand or charge too much. But as its popularity grows, so does the battle between telecom giants, regulators, and small-scale network operators, creating a drama that could only happen in Indonesia.

A Divided Industry: Legal or Illegal?

One of the biggest ISPs in Indonesia unexpectedly fueled the debate when one of its field team leaders stated that RT/RW Net is actually legal. According to him, some of these networks subscribe officially to large ISPs, meaning they aren't criminals but rather resellers helping lower-income communities access affordable internet. His statement went viral, drawing strong protests from rival ISPs who argued that RT/RW Net violates existing regulations and harms the formal FTTH business.

Realizing the backlash, the ISP quickly corrected his statement, emphasizing that reselling internet services without proper licensing is illegal. The company then promised stricter action, including blocking unauthorized RT/RW Net operators from using their infrastructure.

A Decades-Old Dilemma

RT/RW Net isn’t new, it’s been around since the late 1990s when the internet was still a luxury. RT/RW Net is as an alternative for those unable to afford traditional internet services. Instead of paying expensive individual subscriptions, a few tech-savvy neighbors pooled their money, bought a single connection, and shared it using LAN cables strung between rooftops. What started as a simple cost-saving measure quickly spread across neighborhoods. More households joined, cables stretched between homes, and local tech enthusiasts, often self-taught, became the neighborhood’s internet bosses. For as little as IDR 50,000 to 100,000 per month, people got connected.

While some argue that there is no clear legal framework, laws like UU No. 36 Tahun 1999 on Telecommunications and Permen Kominfo No. 13 Tahun 2019 already regulate internet resale. However, the reality is that most RT/RW Net operators don’t meet the official requirements, such as paying taxes, maintaining quality standards, or using official ISP branding.

Legally, running an unauthorized RT/RW Net can lead to 10 years in prison, and tax evasion fines can reach four times the unpaid amount. But in practice, many RT/RW Net providers operate quietly, avoiding detection while serving communities in need.

Today, RT/RW Net has evolved beyond its early community-based setups. Some RT/RW Net now lease fiber optic lines from major ISPs, running their networks unofficially. Others partner with local businesses to provide faster and more stable connections, but still at a fraction of the cost of corporate ISPs. Despite the legal threats, RT/RW Net remains a lifeline in areas where big telecom companies refuse to expand due to high infrastructure costs.

The Reality on the Ground

Unlike in other countries where internet infrastructure is tightly controlled, RT/RW Net grew organically, fueled by a mix of necessity and Indonesian gotong royong (mutual cooperation). There were no official poles for cables, they hung from trees, fences, and laundry lines. Technical support was just a knock on the door away, usually from the person who set up the network. Payments were informal, made in cash or mobile transfers, and service contracts were unheard of.

Despite legal risks, RT/RW Net thrives because it meets real needs. Big ISPs focus on urban centers and high-income areas, while lower-income neighborhoods build their own networks out of necessity. For many, RT/RW Net is the only way to stay connected—for work, school, and daily life.

Even within the telecom industry, there is internal confusion. Some ISP employees unknowingly support RT/RW Net operators, while others turn a blind eye, acknowledging that the demand exists for a reason. This situation blurs the lines between legal and illegal internet access.

The Future of RT/RW Net: Regulation or Eradication?

For the government and ISPs, RT/RW Net is a legal headache, an uncontrolled, unauthorized network. But for millions of Indonesians, it’s a necessary alternative that fills the gap where major providers fail. As authorities try to crack down on illegal networks, RT/RW Net continues to thrive in the shadows, proving that when people are priced out of a service, they will find their own way to access it. If there’s one thing Indonesians have mastered, it’s finding a way around the system, and RT/RW Net is living proof of that.

For now, major ISPs are cracking down on RT/RW Net, vowing to block illegal resellers and push users toward official services. But some experts argue that instead of criminalizing RT/RW Net, Indonesia should create a legal framework to regulate it.

At its core, RT/RW Net exists because traditional ISPs haven’t solved the affordability and accessibility gap. Until internet services become truly widespread and affordable, Indonesians will continue finding their own ways to stay connected.