Indonesia Reviews Plan to Phase Out 2G Networks

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Telecommunications Providers Association (ATSI) is currently reviewing plans to phase out 2G networks in Indonesia as part of efforts to accelerate digital transformation.

ATSI Chairman Marwan O. Baasir stated in an interview in Bandung on Sunday that the plan is still in the preliminary discussion stage with the government, given that a portion of the population still relies on 2G networks for voice calls and text messaging services.

“We are still in the early stages of discussions with the government. If we want to accelerate the digital ecosystem, we naturally need to start preparing—determining the timeline and the incentive programs to be implemented,” Marwan said.

According to him, the goal of phasing out 2G networks is to reallocate the frequency spectrum in the 900 MHz band—currently used for 2G services—to support technologies better suited to digital advancements, such as 4G and 5G.

ATSI estimates that 2G network users still account for approximately 8 to 10 percent of total mobile service users in Indonesia.

Marwan noted that based on biometric-based SIM card registration data collected between early 2026 and August 2026—totaling 297 million registrations—the number of users still relying on 2G networks is estimated at around 29 million.

In addition to user numbers, Indonesia’s geographical conditions are a key factor being considered in the review of the 2G network phase-out.

“Eastern Indonesia may present a challenge for us because there are still many feature phone users there,” he said.

Marwan stated that the significant number of 2G users and the geographical challenges mean the phase-out plan requires careful preparation to avoid disrupting public access to communication.

ATSI is also monitoring 2G network phase-out policies in other countries to serve as a benchmark for drafting its own study and preparing the policy. According to Marwan, if a decision is ultimately made to phase out 2G networks, the government needs to provide support through regulations and incentives to ensure a smooth technological transition.

One form of such support, he noted, could involve regulating the distribution of devices that only support 2G networks once the phase-out policy has been announced.

Meanwhile, devices supporting 4G LTE and 5G digital services are expected to become increasingly available on the market at affordable prices, allowing the public to make the switch without facing an excessive financial burden.

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