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Govt delays 5G spectrum auction as telcos see little demand
The sale of spectrum in the 700 MHz and 26 GHz bands, initially planned for completion by July and then scheduled to take place before the change of government, has been delayed again.
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Need for speed: A worker installs Ericsson telecommunication equipment for 5G cellular services for the Jakarta ePrix championship held in Central Jakarta in June 2022. (Ericsson/-)
T
he Communications and Information Ministry has pushed back its auction of frequency bands for wider 5G deployment as it continues to negotiate with wary telecommunication companies.
The sale of spectrum in the 700 MHz and 26 GHz bands, initially planned for completion by July and then scheduled to take place before the change of government, has now been delayed to the end of the year.
The ministry’s Public Information and Communications Director General Usman Kansong said the discussions with cellular operators were ongoing as there was no unanimous agreement on when and whether they would use the frequencies for 5G networks.
“We still need to talk with local operators about what’s best,” Usman said on Friday.
“We aim for 5G to improve our internet speed,” he added, highlighting the government's goal of faster connections to support the country’s digital transformation.
Read also: Axiata, Sinar Mas officially exploring RI telco business merger
The 700 MHz frequency band, previously occupied by broadcasting entities, became available after the analog switch-off (ASO) in August 2023. The measure, involving over 600 terrestrial TV stations, freed up valuable spectrum for mobile telephony.
