Telkomsel Wins New 2.6 GHz Spectrum for Rp 545.8 Billion to Accelerate 5G

Telkomsel has won a new spectrum block that can be used to boost the availability of 5G services. The state-owned telecommunications operator secured the 2.6 GHz frequency band with a bid of Rp 545.8 billion. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs today, Friday (10/7/2026), reported the results of the selection process for users of the 700 MHz and 2.6 GHz radio frequency bands. In an announcement published on its official website, the ministry stated that the auction for the 2.6 GHz band was contested by three mobile operators: Telkomsel, Indosat, and XLSmart. PT Telekomunikasi Selular (Telkomsel) took first place by submitting a bid of Rp 545.8 billion to use an 80 MHz block of spectrum in the 2.6 GHz band. The other two operators submitted lower bids for narrower spectrum blocks. PT Indosat Tbk, or Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, bid Rp 372 billion for a 60 MHz block, while PT XLSmart Telecom Sejahtera Tbk, or XLSmart, offered Rp 231.5 billion for a 50 MHz block. The three auction participants have been given the opportunity to submit written objections to the selection results, along with supporting evidence, until 14 July 2026. If no objections are filed, the selection committee will immediately submit its report and recommendations to the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs. In addition to being required to pay the Radio Frequency Spectrum Usage Fee for the Frequency Band Licence in accordance with statutory provisions, the winner is obliged within five years to provide 4G mobile broadband services in selected villages from a total of 538 villages designated by the ministry, and to accelerate 5G deployment by providing International Mobile Telecommunications-2020 (5G) standard mobile broadband services in committed cities and regencies, with a minimum target of 51 percent national population coverage. Higher frequencies used for cellular services allow for greater traffic capacity to be delivered. Therefore, the 2.6 GHz frequency won by Telkomsel is considered ideal as infrastructure for high-capacity 5G services.