The government of Indonesia is still dedicated to bettering the broadband internet experience for its citizens. Optimising the radio frequency spectrum enables the rise in service quality. As a result, that will make mobile broadband internet faster.
Recently, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics in Indonesia has evaluated a proposal from two Indonesian telecom companies to transfer radio frequency spectrum (SFR) usage in the 2.3 GHz band from one another. After reviewing the application, Minister of Communication and Informatics Johnny G. Plate approved the transfer of the right to use the radio frequency spectrum, according to Denny Setiawan, Director of Resources Management at the Directorate General of Resources and Equipment of Post and Information Technology.
Denny detailed this in Article 55 of Government Regulation No. 46 of 2021 Concerning Post, Telecommunications, and Broadcasting, citing Article 71 point 5 of Law No. 6 of 2023 Concerning the Stipulation of Government Regulations in place of Law No. 2 of 2022 Concerning Job Creation to Become Laws, which amends the provisions in Article 33 of the Law No. 36 of 1999 Concerning Telecommunications.
“Following up on the provisions in Article 57 of Government Regulation Number 46 of 2021 concerning Post, Telecommunications, and Broadcasting, an extensive assessment has been carried out in line with the provisions stipulated in the said Government Regulation as well as several regulations included in the Minister of Communication and Information Regulation Number 7 of 2021 regarding the Use of the Radio Frequency Spectrum,” he elaborated.
The review was submitted to the Minister of Communication and Informatics, who approved the transfer of licences to operate the 2.3 GHz radio spectrum on April 18, 2023. The analysis is conducted in compliance with the law.
“A Ministerial and Informatics Decree requires approval,” Danny explained. “The evaluation is carried out following statutory provisions. The approval is stipulated through a Ministerial and Informatics Decree.”
With no change to the previously determined expiration date of the Radio Frequency Band Permit (IPFR), Director Denny Setiawan has announced that a portion of the 2.3 GHz radio frequency band has been assigned to one of Indonesia’s wireless network operators to operate a mobile cellular network beginning on April 18, 2023.
Earlier, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics completed the reorganisation (refarming) of the 2.1 GHz radio frequency spectrum. The Ministry of Communication and Informatics expects the public and private sector users of cellular services to gain various advantages and benefits from establishing contiguous bands on the 2.1 GHz radio frequency spectrum.
The operator interference at 2.1 GHz necessitated the refarming. The purpose of the refarming was to ensure that users could always reach one another. Customers will benefit from improved 4G and 5G service thanks to the reorganisation that eliminates potential interference from other telecom providers using the 2.1 GHz radio frequency spectrum. Network infrastructure and mobile broadband technology upgrades by operators will become more effective because of the capacity and bandwidth of the 2.1 GHz radio frequency spectrum.
In addition, Indonesia has promised to build a 4G Base Transceiver Station (BTS) to ensure everyone can access the internet. Minister of Communications and Informatics Johnny G. Plate pointed out city and county governments’ role in hastening the transition to digital services. Local support will aid in the national digital transformation by developing digital infrastructure across rural areas.
He highlighted the need for upstream digital infrastructure development to be optimised and streamlined through cooperation with local governments. Local governments, he said, are crucial because they provide the land availability and spatial layout for digital infrastructure placement and the location of services that require telecommunication access.
