SIM Card Registration in Indonesia to Change Completely Next Week, Here's How
Jakarta - Indonesian citizens will have a new method for SIM card registration starting 1 July 2026. Beginning next week, registration for new mobile users will no longer use the National Identity Number (NIK) and Family Card Number, but will instead employ facial recognition.
Director General of Digital Ecosystem at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, Edwin Hidayat Abdullah, explained that preparations are in the final stages and all processes are currently under review. An announcement confirming the programme’s readiness will be made next week.
“Yes, this is already in the final stage, we are reviewing everything. Once ready, we will announce it for 1 July 2026,” Edwin said during the Digital Ecosystem Alignment (DEAL) 2026 event in Jakarta on Tuesday (23/6/2026).
Executive Director of the Indonesian Telecommunication Providers Association (ATSI), Marwan O Baasir, confirmed that mobile operators are prepared to implement facial recognition registration. During the trial period from January to June, approximately 2.3 to 2.4 million users have registered.
“This applies to all new customers nationally. They will no longer use NIK and Family Card numbers, but entirely biometrics. God willing, we are ready,” he stated.
The regulation applies only to new users. Existing customers are not currently required to re-register. Marwan expressed hope that re-registration would not be necessary, as legacy customers were already registered before the biometric regulation.
When asked about this, Edwin said the ministry would observe the situation over the next six months, including the registration system’s infrastructure. “We will see later if everything is orderly and there is an impact and benefit, such as reducing unclear numbers and scam calls,” he said.
ATSI Hopes Facial Recognition Fee Can Be Cheaper
The facial recognition process incurs a fee of Rp 3,000 per registration paid by the operator to the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration (Dukcapil). The previous registration process cost Rp 1,000 per registration.
This is stipulated in Government Regulation Number 10 of 2023 concerning Types and Tariffs of Non-Tax State Revenue applicable at the Ministry of Home Affairs. The fee is not charged to the public registering, but to mobile operators such as Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Telkomsel, and XLSMART, payable to Dukcapil.
Marwan noted that ATSI’s own calculation suggests the cost is Rp 60 for NIK and Family Card registration and Rp 200 for facial recognition. Operators hope the tariff can be reduced further. ATSI has been in contact with the Ministry of Finance, while the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding this matter.
“We will see. If possible, we would like it to be as cheap as free. Because this is a government programme. The Government Regulation states that a government programme can be zero cost if it receives an endorsement from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs,” he said.