Frequency Auction Winners Urged to Accelerate Internet Equality
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs (Menkomdigi) Meutya Hafid has asked the winners of the 700 MHz and 2.6 GHz frequency band selection to accelerate the equalisation of internet access and deliver quality cellular services, particularly in areas not yet covered by networks.
Meutya said the government has set a number of obligations for the frequency auction winners, one of which is to provide 4G services in 538 villages and urban wards that do not yet have adequate internet signal.
“That is why we have given commitment obligations to the selection winners to carry out tasks including delivering quality 4G services in 538 villages and wards spread from Sumatra to Papua which are currently unconnected to signal or still have weak signal,” Meutya said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
In addition, better networks can also drive community economic activity and support the implementation of government programmes such as Sekolah Rakyat and the Red-and-White Village/Ward Cooperatives.
“The existence of this connectivity will open people’s access to education, health and digital government services, as well as economic opportunities previously out of reach in those villages or wards,” said Meutya.
Beyond supporting internet access equality, the government is also obliging the selection winners to accelerate the construction of 5G networks in Indonesia.
Meutya is targeting the management of the frequency spectrum to increase 5G network coverage to 51 percent of the national population by the fifth year.
The government is also targeting mobile broadband service speeds to rise to as much as 100 Mbps by 2029.
“This frequency auction is expected to serve not only connectivity, but also the improvement and enhancement of service quality, particularly internet speed in Indonesia,” said Meutya.
In addition to improving internet services, the management of the frequency spectrum has the potential to generate around Rp6 trillion in additional Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) in the initial stage, with total projected state revenue reaching Rp30 trillion over a 10-year period.
“So this additional economic value for the state will certainly be channelled back into the development of pro-people programmes,” said Meutya.