Prestigious Jonathan B. Postel Service Award Presented to Onno W. Purbo

The Internet Society, a global nonprofit organization that promotes the development and use of an open, globally connected, and secure Internet, today presented the prestigious Jonathan B. Postel Service Award to Onno W. Purbo for his sustained and substantial technical contributions, leadership and service to the global Internet community.

Named in honor of the technical community legend Jonathan Postel, this award recognizes extraordinary people like Mr. Purbo who have committed themselves to the technological development, growth, and strength of the Internet.

Known as “Indonesia’s Internet Liberator,” Mr. Purbo is a prolific and well-published Internet advocate who has played a key role in democratizing Internet access, making it more affordable especially in Indonesia’s rural areas.

“Mr. Purbo’s contribution to the digital sector is invaluable and this award marks what he has achieved and inspired others to achieve. His initiative of meaningful Internet access and Community Networks have instilled the growth of not only affordable but accessible Internet in various areas across Indonesia. I am confident this award will embolden others to innovate and follow his steps and overcome the challenges in their communities especially in improving digitalization,” said Johnny Plate, Minister of Communication and Information Technology for Indonesia.

Of his many achievements, Mr. Purbo is best known for pioneering the Internet in Indonesia through sophisticated use of wireless and Voice over Internet Protocol technologies. He led the first Internet connection at the Institute of Technology in Bandung and used it to build the first Indonesian educational network. He also championed the deregulation of Wi-Fi frequencies and introduced cyber cafes, neighborhood networks, and community cellular networks to Indonesia. Mr. Purbo organized the first community telephony network over Internet and lead the re-introduction of ICT into the Indonesian high school curriculum. Currently, he is involved in largest Indonesian FREE e-Learning service, which has brought more than 700 courses to nearly 40,000 participants and trained more than 8,000 teachers on e-learning operations.

“It is an honor to receive the highest and priceless acknowledgment given to Indonesia from the Internet communities, said Mr. Purbo. “With modified simple off-the-shelf gadgets and equipment, one may fulfill the right to access information and knowledge, which is the necessary foundation for any nation to move forward. The Internet Society has acknowledged the approach is one of the right routes towards the Internet for all. The job is indeed not finished. The Postel Service Award sheds light on the way to go for all of us and inspires extraordinary enthusiasm for moving towards a knowledge-based society.”

Mr. Purbo was selected by a distinguished international committee comprised of former Jonathan B. Postel award winners, which includes Internet visionaries and luminaries. Now in its 21^st year, the Postel Award was established in 1999 by the Internet Society to honor individuals and organizations that, through their work, embody the spirit of Jonathan Postel, whose technical influence can be seen at the very heart of many of the protocols which make the Internet work. Andrew Sullivan, President and CEO of the Internet Society, will present the award, which includes a US$20,000 honorarium and a crystal engraved globe, during a virtual ceremony as part of the 109^th Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Meeting taking place November 16-20, 2020.

About the Internet Society

Founded in 1992 by Internet pioneers, the Internet Society is a global non-profit organization working to ensure the Internet remains a force for good for everyone. Through its community of members, special interest groups, and 120+ chapters around the world, the organization defends and promotes Internet policies, standards, and protocols that keep the Internet open, globally connected, and secure. For more information, please visit: internetsociety.org.

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