New SIM Card Registration Without KK Number to Begin Next Week

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - A new SIM card registration method using facial recognition will take effect on 1 July 2026. Mobile operators Telkomsel, XLSmart, and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison have confirmed they are ready to implement the regulation.

“Overall, everything is ready for biometrics,” said Marwan O. Baasir, Executive Director of the Indonesian Telecommunication Providers Association (ATSI), in Jakarta on Tuesday (22/6/2026).

The registration will use a biometric mechanism with the National Identity Number (NIK). This replaces the old registration method which required both the NIK and the Family Card number (NoKK).

The regulation is stipulated in Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Regulation Number 7 of 2026 concerning Customer Registration for Mobile Cellular Telecommunication Services. Biometric registration will be applied to new customers, with a limit of a maximum of three numbers per operator for each customer identity.

Prior to full implementation for new users, biometric registration has undergone trials since the beginning of this year. Marwan explained that approximately 2.3 million people have already used the system over the past six months.

“From January to June, around 2.3 to 2.4 million have used biometrics,” he revealed.

Marwan also clarified that existing customers are not required to re-register using biometrics, as the regulation states they are already considered registered.

“Because the ministerial regulation says that customers who have already registered are deemed registered, so there is no need to register again, right, because the regulation says so,” he explained.

To register using biometrics, the public can visit mobile operator outlets, where staff will guide them through the process. Alternatively, registration can be completed independently via the operator’s official application or website.