The Ministry of Communication and Information Will Auction Three Frequency Next Year, 5G Is Even More Real!

Director of Resources Arrangement of the Directorate General of SDPPI Kemenkominfo, Denny Setiawan (photo: Citra/voi)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kemenkominfo) plans to auction three frequencies of 700 MHz, 26 GHz, and 3.5 GHz next year, all of which can be utilized to strengthen 5G network coverage.

According to the Director of Resource Management at the Directorate General of SDPPI of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, Denny Setiawan, operators can use the network according to their needs, both for 4G and 5G.

"That's neutral, so it can be 4G or 5G depending on the operator," said Denny at the Digital Telco Outlook 2023 event, in Jakarta, December 6.

However, Denny did not know for sure when the auction schedule would be held. He revealed that the current target is still in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023.

"God willing (the auction) will be held in the first quarter of 2023. The target is that. Yes, 5G, the operator must be complete, there are coverage bands, capacity bands and mmwave," explained Denny.

Denny stated that the bandwidth to be auctioned at the 700 MHz frequency was 2 x 45 MHz or 90 MHz, while 26 GHz with a bandwidth of 2.7 GHz and a frequency of 3.5 GHz had a bandwidth of 200 MHz.

The 700 MHz frequency is still used for broadcasting. After the Analog Switch Off (ASO) process, the 700 MHz frequency spectrum will be used for Internet services and other needs.

Because Denny said, the 700 MHz frequency band will generate a digital dividend of 112 MHz, which can also maximize 4G and 5G networks in various regions in Indonesia.

However, Denny has not been able to explain in detail how the tender selection will take place at the three frequencies.

"It depends, we will select it, (at the moment) we are revising the government regulation regarding the Non-tax Revenue (PNBP) , PP 80 of 2015, that's just the finalization stage," said Denny.