ATSI Proposes Lowering Face Recognition Verification Fees for SIM Cards

The Indonesian Telecommunication Providers Association (ATSI) has proposed that the government reduce the cost of biometric face recognition verification in the SIM card registration process. ATSI Chairman Marwan O. Baasir explained that operators are currently charged Rp3,000 for each verification of data with the Civil Registry Service (Dukcapil), a fee he considers too high. ‘We have discussed this and the Minister of Finance has agreed to talk further with Dukcapil. We hope for an incentive, meaning the fee is lowered, because this is essentially public access to internet communication,’ Marwan said in Jakarta on Tuesday. He added that ideally the service could be free, as it is a government programme, noting that regulations allow for a zero fee with an endorsement from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs. Marwan confirmed that all mobile operators are ready to implement biometric-based SIM card registration for all new customers. He revealed that during the trial period from January to June 2026, the number of customers who registered using biometrics reached approximately 2.3 to 2.4 million users. This measure builds on previous steps requiring new mobile number users to undergo facial biometric verification to confirm their true identity during registration.