New Report Estimates that Assigning 700 MHz to Mobile Broadband Would
Deliver $11 billion (IDR161 trillion) in Economic Benefits over 10 Years
Jakarta: Indonesia is poised to become a digital powerhouse in Southeast Asia. However, this can only be fully realised if the country provides mobile operators access to vital spectrum bands, according to a new report, Accelerating Indonesia's digital economy: Assigning the 700 MHz band to mobile broadband', released by the GSMA today. The study estimates that assigning 700 MHz to mobile broadband would deliver economic benefits of $11 billion (IDR161 trillion) to the Indonesian economy over the period 2020-2030, equivalent to an incremental 1 per cent of GDP.
The mobile sector in Indonesia has experienced rapid growth since the start of the century. Mobile broadband and smartphone adoption are rising, along with an expanding middle class and a tech-savvy youth population. At the same time, a lack of internet access remains a key barrier for citizens' full participation in the country's digital society, especially for those living in rural areas. This could change with the timely release of 700 MHz spectrum for mobile use. According to the report, authored by GSMA Intelligence, there is potential to increase mobile internet subscribers from 102 million in 2017 (39 per cent penetration) to 185 million (65 per cent penetration) by 2025.
Indonesia's digital economy is demonstrating its world-leading capability, attracting billions in investments for digital ventures, said Rudiantara, Minister of Communication and Informatics of the Republic of Indonesia. It is critical that Indonesia is at the forefront of spectrum policy and allocation to ensure the digital economy continues to grow and achieve its potential for financial inclusion, economic contribution, digital citizenship and social equality. The 700 MHz band creates an opportunity for all Indonesians to enjoy high-speed connectivity in the most remote areas, helping to accelerate the participation in our nation's prosperity and economic growth.
Indonesia is on the verge of becoming a digital economy giant in Southeast Asia, said Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific, GSMA. By putting policy measures in place to encourage investments in mobile development and digitisation, Indonesia can potentially leapfrog other markets in terms of economic growth. In the next decade, the socio-economic benefits that mobile can deliver from these changes will have a direct impact on the welfare of millions.
Benefits of Assigning 700 MHz to Mobile Broadband
While 3G has been successful in extending basic mobile broadband to Indonesia's unconnected, the technology cannot cope with the significant traffic growth expected over the next 10 years. At the moment, mobile network operators are predominantly using 1800 MHz spectrum for 4G rollout. The technical characteristics of the 700 MHz band would support better coverage with less infrastructure compared to higher bands, typically used for boosting capacity in hotspot areas.
By assigning the 700 MHz band to mobile quickly, priced appropriately and in sufficient quantity, consumers will benefit from faster network rollouts and lower retail prices, said Brett Tarnutzer, Head of Spectrum, GSMA. This vital spectrum is essential to expanding coverage to Indonesia's unconnected and improving education and healthcare services, particularly in rural areas.
Further Reform Needed to Support the Digital Economy
The report encourages Indonesia's policymakers to consider rules to facilitate voluntary network sharing. This could enhance high-speed mobile connectivity by lowering the costs and risks in deploying infrastructure, particularly in remote or topographically challenging areas. In addition, an appropriate tax regime is required, where operators contribute a fair, not a disproportionate, amount to government tax revenue.
With the right spectrum and investment policies, Indonesia, like India, Malaysia, Myanmar, and the Philippines, has the potential to accelerate its migration to high-speed mobile broadband. By 2025, 4G is expected to rise to around 360 million connections - almost three-quarters of total connections.
The report, Accelerating Indonesia's digital economy: Assigning the 700 MHz band to mobile broadband', is available here in English.
-ENDS-
Translations
Bahasa Indonesia
About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more than 750 operators with over 350 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai, Mobile World Congress Americas and the Mobile 360 Series of conferences.
For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.
Media Contacts:
For the GSMA
Bhayu Sugarda
+62 815 1384 1162
BSugarda@webershandwick.com
Diah Setiawaty
+62 852 1078 5242
DSetiawaty@webershandwick.com
Nadya Maharani
+62 812-9428-9252
NMaharani@webershandwick.com
GSMA Press Office
pressoffice@gsma.com
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
19/08/2026
As the cost of IP nears price parity with traditional SDI, Reynolds argues that ...
19/08/2026
A private 5G bubble was chosen instead of traditional broadcast RF for the race ...
19/08/2026
(L-R) Rafael Manuel and Isabel Sicat attend the Filipi ana premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 23, 2026, in Park Cit...
19/08/2026
Studio owners invited to have their say on rates cuts
The Music Producers Guild (MPG) are inviting UK-based studios to take part in an in-depth survey that ...
19/08/2026
Vintage-inspired desktop interface revealed
Harrison's latest hardware offering sees them head into the world of audio interfaces, delivering a 10-in/12...
19/08/2026
Granular effect remains locked to scale and tempo
Described as your dream granular effect , Minimal Audio's latest creation is capable of turning any s...
19/08/2026
First polyphonic SWAM instrument incoming
Audio Modeling's latest physical-modelling orchestral instrument is just around the corner, and is now availab...
19/08/2026
World Cup Games Generate 84 Billion Minutes Across FOX, Fox Sports 1 and NBCU...
19/08/2026
July brought typical peak-holiday drops in viewership, driven primarily by viewers stepping away from screens and a visible decline in reach across both traditi...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Henry joins BCE as the company accelerates its commercial strategy and expands its international presence across the media, broadcast and technology markets. He...
19/08/2026
iWedia, a leading provider of software solutions for connected TV devices, today announced a major milestone in Android platform optimization with the successfu...
19/08/2026
NTP Technology announces that ST 2110-30 audio-over-IP connectivity with AES67 and RAVENNA capabilities is now available for the brand's world-class audio i...
19/08/2026
Net Insight has been selected to provide its Nimbra platform by the service provider Big Blue Marble, formerly ORS Group, as the core media transport solution f...
19/08/2026
LiveU has supported Coventry City FC and several other top-flight UK football clubs through one of their most demanding live production challenges of the year, ...
19/08/2026
Nature Seekers Documentary Shot with Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF
Brie Clayton August 18, 2026
0 Comments
Filming endangered turtles required camera...
19/08/2026
Neyrinck Brings D-Control Consoles Back to Life on Apple Silicon with D-Control ...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Riedel Communications today announced that Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia, implemented a comprehensive communications infrastructure that brin...
19/08/2026
QuickLink, a leading provider of award-winning video production and remote guest contribution solutions, will spotlight a major leap forward in remote guest con...
19/08/2026
Integrated platform melds media asset management, playout automation and newsroom workflows
EMAM, PlayBox Neo and SNEWS have officially launched Nuvex, a conne...
19/08/2026
Screen Australia releases the Private Investment Toolkit to strengthen screen in...
19/08/2026
Do Aussies truly value local content? Unpacking Screen Currency 2026 with Deirdr...
19/08/2026
There's an early Christmas gift for Bookish fans, as UKTV confirms the re-commission of the hit U&alibi drama, created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Viewers ...
19/08/2026
Wednesday 19 August 2026
Sky gives sports fans the chance to watch multiple liv...
19/08/2026
On Saturday September 5 Katie Taylor will step into the ring for the fight of her life against Flora Pili in front of 80,000 fans in Croke Park. A legendary fig...
18/08/2026
SportStream 2026, a free three-day virtual event, will take place September 15-17. One registration provides access to all three days of live programming and on...
18/08/2026
BeckTV will introduce BeckFlow to the European market at IBC2026, demonstrated on the Providius stand (10.F53).
BeckFlow is a web-based schematic documentation...
18/08/2026
Boland Communications will introduce a SMPTE ST 2110 input option for its 4K monitors at IBC2026, along with a new 55-inch super-narrow bezel display for video ...
18/08/2026
Dolby Laboratories and the Seattle Seahawks have announced a partnership integrating Dolby OptiView into the Seahawks' live streaming coverage, making the S...
18/08/2026
For BMG Executive Producer of Sports Production, Graham Taylor, producing live s...
18/08/2026
TMRW Sports has appointed Rufus Hack as President of Golf, a newly created role in which he will lead the company's golf businesses including TGL presented ...
18/08/2026
SMT will provide race technology for FOX Sports' coverage of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. on August 23, when the NTT INDYCAR SERIES races ...
18/08/2026
The live, YouTube-native roundtables combine fan voices, credentialed reporters,...
18/08/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
18/08/2026
The industry legend sounds off on replacing the Heat's iconic Medusa score...
18/08/2026
William F. Rasmussen, the sports fan-turned broadcaster and entrepreneur whose out-of-the-box idea of a 24-hour cable sports network, ESPN, changed forever the ...
18/08/2026
DAZN Group has completed its acquisition of ViewLift, a provider of streaming and digital solutions for sports content owners. The acquisition was first announc...
18/08/2026
The American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) has added SI TV, Sports Illustrated's 24/7 streaming channel, as a broadcast partner for the remain...
18/08/2026
The Esports Foundation has announced that the inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC), originally scheduled for November 2026 in Riyadh, will be postponed to Novemb...
18/08/2026
Diversified has announced a new Global Managed Services Practice, consolidating the company's managed services capabilities into one organization. Rob Mello...
18/08/2026
Appear has completed a proof of concept with Thoroughbred Racing Productions (TRP), demonstrating multi-camera remote live production over bonded 5G cellular an...
New Report Estimates that Assigning 700 MHz to Mobile Broadband Would 
