The Impact of Broadband Access on Unemployment Rate in Indonesia 2016-2019

Purpose: This study aims to determine the effect of broadband access, education level, population numbers, and investment on the unemployment rate in Indonesia. Research design, data, and methodology: This study uses panel data from 34 provinces from 2016 to 2019. The analysis uses the fixed-effect model for panel data with the Feasible Generalized Least Square (FGLS) estimation method. Results: Broadband access has a negative and significant effect on the unemployment rate. Mean years of school, population, and foreign direct investment also have a negative and significant impact on the unemployment rate. In contrast, the domestic direct investment variable has a positive and significant effect. Conclusion: The availability of broadband access in an area allows easier and faster access to information. The ease of access to such information can affect producing goods and services, encouraging innovation and employment growth, and reducing the unemployment rate. This research recommends that the government intensify the Indonesia Broadband Plan policy to accelerate the development and equitable distribution of broadband access in all regions of Indonesia.