The Communications and Information Ministry has revoked the permit of radio frequency tapes (IPFR) of internet providers PT First Media, PT INternux and PT Jasnita Tellekomindo for failing to pay the frequency fees since 2016.

Ministry's resources director Dwi Handoko said the companies had ignored three warning letters issued by the ministry before their permits were revoked.

“We sent three warning letters. The latest letter was sent on Nov. 9 and we will revoke the permits as they failed to make any payment up to Saturday, the deadline [set by the ministry],” Dwi said in Jakarta on Sunday as quoted by kontan.co.id

The permits will be revoked on Monday, he added.

The revocation was based on Article 21, of Communications and Information Ministerial Regulation No 9/2018 on the provision of the operation of radio frequency spectrum, which rules that the permits will be revoked if the holders do not pay the frequency fees for two years.

The three companies were winners of the auction of the 2.3 GHz frequency in 2009. The payment deadline is Nov. 17, each year.

First Media operates in Zone I, the northern part of Sumatra and Zone 4, Greater Jakarta and Banten; Internux also operates in Zone 4, while Jasnita operates in Zone 12, the northern part of Sulawesi.

The unpaid fees reached Rp 364.84 billion (US$24.93 million) for First Media, Rp 343.57 billion for Internux and Rp 2.19 billion for Jasnita. (bbn)