SIM Card Biometric Verification Requires Additional Fees, Who Pays?

JAKARTA - In line with the new policy requiring the registration of new SIM cards using the biometric verification system starting July 1, 2026, the Ministry of Communication and Digital ensures that the public will not be charged additional fees for the verification process.

Director General of Digital Ecosystems at the Ministry of Communications, Edwin Hidayat Abdullah, emphasized that the cost of verifying customers in the registration process is the responsibility of mobile operators.

The statement was made in response to a question regarding the costs arising from the customer verification process. In the implementation of the biometric system, mobile operators must check and match customer data with the Dukcapil database, which is known to cost Rp. 3,000 - Rp. 5,000 for each verification process.

"No fee is charged to customers. Earlier, it was agreed that this is part of the business responsibility of mobile operators and the state's obligation to protect people who are active through data exchange," said Edwin, quoted Sunday, May 31.

According to Edwin, the implementation of biometric verification aims to increase the security of the telecommunications ecosystem while reducing the misuse of mobile numbers for digital fraud.

He also assessed that the costs incurred by mobile operators for the verification process will be compensated through increased public confidence in using mobile services.

"So, is mobile burdened because it bears the cost? Not really. Why not, Because with the growing trust of people in the use of mobile, their business also grows. Well, this is what this circle must understand that by protecting each other, God willing, we can advance the common welfare," concluded Edwin.