Cloud computing service provider Amazon Web Services (AWS) will build its first so-called “cloud region” in Jakarta. It’s meant to be up and running by the end of 2021.

As the use of cloud computing services in Indonesia is projected to continue to increase, AWS’ presence in the country will support a fast-growing ecosystem of startups, large companies, and government agencies. It’s also expected to help create more jobs in the tech sector.

With a rapidly developing internet economy, it is no surprise that major international cloud services are keen to enter Indonesia. Last year, Google announced it will open its cloud region in Indonesia while China’s Alibaba Cloud opened its second data center in January.

Reliable online infrastructure could, until recently, not been taken for granted in Indonesia. Even major e-commerce platforms have gone through unexpected downtimes. In March 2017,  Tokopedia, Bukalapak, and JD.id could be accessed for a full day due to technical problems from their server partner,  Biznet. The problem allegedly cost the e-commerce platforms billions of rupiahs.

State of the art cloud server infrastructure tries to minimize downtime risks so as to not affect businesses.

AWS is a pioneer in the business of cloud storage. Its new cloud region in Jakarta comprises of three “availability zones”, or data centers in different locations, which ensures that each zone has an independent supply of power, cooling, and security systems, while they’re connected to one another with a low latency network. Companies or organizations can utilize AWS cloud infrastructure for data analysis, AI, databases, Internet of Things, machine learning, and so forth.

AWS has also made its office in Jakarta official. “We have opened an office in Indonesia and recruited local talents. We are committed to making investments in Indonesia, including developing technology experts,” said the managing director of AWS Asia Pacific, Ed Lenta, at a press event in Jakarta.

Lenta refused to reveal the exact investment value in Indonesia. However, Amazon’s CTO and VP Werner Vogels once promised an investment worth of USD 1 billion over the next ten years in Indonesia when he met with President Joko Widodo in September last year.

Editor: Nadine Freischlad