Following Constitutional Court Ruling, Minister Issues Regulation Barring Operators from Voiding Unused Internet Quota
The government has issued a policy prohibiting operators from voiding customers’ unused internet quota that has already been paid for. This is set out in a Circular of the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs as a follow-up to a Constitutional Court ruling. Through Circular Number 4 of 2026 concerning the Obligation to Fulfil Service Choices and Protection of Remaining Quota, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs requires mobile operators not to void customers’ remaining internet quota that has been paid for. The circular also prohibits operators from charging additional fees to maintain or use the remaining quota. The circular was issued on 28 August 2026 as an instrument of legal certainty and a follow-up to Constitutional Court Decision Number 273/PUU-XXIII/2025 dated 23 July 2026.
Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid stressed that remaining quota is a customer right that must be protected. “Quota that has been paid for by customers is the customer’s right. Remaining quota must not simply be voided and operators must not charge additional fees to maintain the remaining quota,” Meutya said on Saturday (29/8/2026). According to Meutya, this policy ensures customers receive fair benefit from the telecommunications services they have paid for. “We have also received many complaints from the public that operators have not fully complied with the Constitutional Court decision that customers’ remaining internet quota must not be unilaterally voided when the package’s active period ends. So we issued this circular to ensure operators comply with legal policy in Indonesia,” Meutya said.
In addition to ensuring remaining quota is protected, the ministry requires operators to provide service choices that allow customers to determine mechanisms suited to their needs. Forms of remaining quota protection include quota accumulation (rollover), no quota accumulation (non-rollover), extension of active period, transfer of benefits, compensation, refund, and other forms of protection that do not harm customers. Meutya emphasised an important change in the approach to telecommunications services, namely that customers determine the service choice suited to their needs, not operators determining choices for customers. “Previously, service choices were largely determined by operators. Now we are ensuring customers have choices. Customers have the right to choose services suited to their needs and usage patterns, not operators choosing for customers,” Meutya said.
The ministry also requires operators to provide clear education and information to customers regarding price, quota volume, validity period, usage segmentation, fair usage terms, termination of service, and treatment of remaining quota. Meutya said this information must be conveyed simply, clearly, and in an easily understood manner so customers can understand their rights and the service choices available to them. Operators are also required to provide an integrated monitoring channel to make it easier for customers to check usage and remaining quota of the selected service.
The ministry has given a deadline of 28 September 2026 for operators to submit reports on fulfilment of obligations to the ministry, and to report periodically on progress in fulfilling obligations once every month. The reports form part of the ministry’s mechanism for monitoring operator compliance with provisions on remaining quota protection and fulfilment of service choices for customers. “The ministry will subsequently conduct periodic supervision of the implementation of these obligations,” Meutya said.