Operators Burdened by Rp 3,000 SIM Card Biometric Fee, Komdigi Assists in Negotiations

The government is currently discussing the biometric registration fee for SIM cards, as the current cost is considered too burdensome for mobile operators. Currently, operators including Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Telkomsel, and XLSmart pay Rp 3,000 for each biometric data matching transaction. Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid stated that the government has sent a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs requesting a reduction in this fee. “We have sent a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs to request fee relief. Ultimately, this policy aims to provide security to the public,” Meutya said at an event in Jakarta on Thursday (23/7/2026). She emphasised that the biometric registration policy should not be viewed solely from a business perspective, as operators are carrying out a state assignment to enhance public protection. Discussions regarding the fee reduction are ongoing, with the government continuing to coordinate with mobile operators and relevant agencies outside the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs. Marwan O. Baasir, Executive Director of the Indonesian Telecommunication Association (ATSI), noted that operators are still in discussions with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration regarding the fee amount. He revealed that operators had previously calculated a fee range of Rp 70 to Rp 200, but the final figure is yet to be determined. ATSI is proposing a fee between Rp 200 and Rp 600, hoping the final cost will be below Rp 1,000. Marwan also expressed hope that charges would only apply to successful biometric matching processes. He stressed that any change to the fee requires an amendment to Government Regulation Number 10 of 2023, necessitating joint discussions with the relevant financial and civil registration authorities.