TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) launched a high-speed internet access program called Indonesia Broadband Plan 2014-2019. National Development Planning Minister Armida Salisah Alisjahbana said on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, the incoming government should prioritize he program because it can reduce the gap between regions.

The program launch was attended by former Communication and Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring, Research and Techology Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta, National Information Technology Board chairman Ilham Habibie, and Banyuwangi Regency Abdullah Azwar Annas.

Tifatul Sembiring said that the program would have positive impacts on the national economy growth.

The broadband program covers five development priorities: e-government, e-health, e-education, e logistics and e-procurement. The government has set a target to reach 71 percent households and 30 percent of the population with broadband internet access by 2019.

The broadband infrastructure is expected to cover 49 percent of households and six percent of the population. The infrastructure is also expected to provide mobile internet access to 52 percent of the population. The total budget allocated for the program is Rp278 trillion (US$23.2 billion), with 10 percent of the total budget came from the State Budget.

JAYADI SUPRIADIN