Kominfo Opens 2.3 GHz Frequency Slot Auction For 5G Connectivity

Illustration of internet tower (doc. Kominfo)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kemenkominfo) has opened a selection for the use of wireless broadband service slots, in the range of 2360 to 2390 MHz. This slot can later be used to encourage the availability of 5G connectivity.

Kominfo stated that the addition of frequency bands could increase the capacity for telecommunication services to the public. He also said that this effort was to support digital transformation in the economic, social and government sectors.

"The selection of 2.3 GHz radio frequency band users is aimed at increasing the capacity of cellular mobile networks, maximally improving service quality, and accelerating the deployment of ICT infrastructure with fifth-generation technology (5G)," explained Kominfo in its official statement quoted by VOI, Friday. November 20.

The provisions for frequency auction have been regulated in Article 11 of the Regulation of the Minister of Communication and Information Technology Number 9 of 2018 concerning Operational Provisions and Licensing Procedures for Radio Frequency Spectrum Usage.

"Selection of 2.3 GHz Radio Frequency Band Users in the Range of 2360 to 2390 MHz for the Purposes of Organizing Cellular Mobile Networks is declared open. Selection is carried out on the object of selection for 2.3 GHz radio frequency band which consists of 3 (three) blocks of radio frequency bands," said the Chairman. Denny Setiawan Selection Team.

For the record, the selection can only be followed by telecommunications operators that already have a Cellular Mobile Network Operating License. Selection documents can be collected starting Tuesday, November 24 at the Secretariat of the 2.3 GHz Radio Frequency Band User Selection Team at Wisma Antara Building.

The document requirements for following the selection process can be seen at the following link INI.

So far there are five major operators in the country, namely, PT Telekomunikasi Selular (Telkomsel), PT Indosat Tbk. (ISAT), PT XL Axiata Tbk. (EXCL), PT Smartfren Telecom Tbk. (FREN) and PT Hutchison 3 Indonesia which may be interested in participating in this frequency auction.

Currently, the 2.3 GHz radio frequency is only filled by Telkomsel and Smartfren, in the 2300 MHz to 2360 MHz spectrum. Meanwhile, the remaining slots, in the range 2360 to 2390 MHz, are still empty.