The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kemenkominfo) has opened a public consultation on the Draft Ministerial Regulation (RPM) for Communication and Information Technology regarding the use of the radio frequency spectrum in the 700 MHz and 26 GHz frequency bands.

"The draft Regulation of the Minister of Communications and Information Technology was prepared in order to support Indonesia's digital transformation through improving Mobile Broadband services as stipulated in the 2020 - 2024 RPJMN," said the Ministry of Communication and Information in a press release in Jakarta, Tuesday.

Public consultations were carried out in order to comply with the provisions of Law Number 12 of 2011 concerning the Formation of Legislative Regulations and their amendments. Public consultation is expected to involve community participation in the preparation of applicable laws and regulations.

The 700 MHz radio frequency band, which was previously used for analog television broadcasts, was prepared for the implementation of cellular mobile networks after

However, thanks to the analog TV broadcast migration program to digital TV, digital dividends were obtained in the 700 MHz radio frequency band.

When used for cellular mobile networks, the 700 MHz band has the advantage of providing wider 4G/5G cellular service coverage. These criteria are suitable for equal distribution of high-speed internet access in rural areas that are not yet covered by telecommunications networks.

Meanwhile, the 26 GHz radio frequency band is currently still in idle condition so it can be used for mobile broadband services.

The 26 GHz radio frequency band is a band that has a very large capacity and is suitable for the implementation of 5G technology, which in certain use cases requires very high internet speeds with very low latency.

This Draft Regulation of the Minister of Communication and Information will regulate several things, including determining the use of the 700 MHz radio frequency band in the 703 - 748 MHz range paired with 758 - 803 MHz with FDD mode and the 26 GHz radio frequency band in the 24.25 - 25 range, 85 GHz with TDD mode for the purposes of providing cellular mobile networks.

RPM will also regulate the establishment of policies that provide freedom to users of the 700 MHz and 26 GHz radio frequency bands to choose technology within the scope of IMT; potential additional obligations for Radio Frequency Band License (IPFR) holders in the 700 MHz radio frequency band; the obligation to coordinate in the 26 GHz band to mitigate potential harmful interference with a simpler procedure, namely synchronizing the TDD transmission mode; and refarming obligations if there are non-contiguous IPFR determination conditions.

"To improve and provide an opportunity for the public to submit responses to the Draft Regulation of the Minister of Communication and Information, a public consultation will be held until 16 October 2023 and input can be submitted via email to the addresses [email protected], [email protected]. id, [email protected], and [email protected]," said the Ministry of Communication and Information.