Indonesia Prepares for 6G Amid Slow 5G Adoption

As Indonesia continues to grapple with a slow rollout of 5G technology, industry experts are advocating for the government to begin preparations for the next generation of mobile networks: 6G. The call for early action comes amid concerns that Indonesia risks falling behind in the global telecommunications landscape.

According to Sarwoto Atmosutarno, Chairman of the Indonesian Telematics Society (Mastel), the country’s current 5G adoption rate is low, with coverage at below 10% of the population. This contrasts sharply with many other nations where 5G penetration exceeds 70%. Sarwoto emphasized that the slow adoption of 5G should serve as a wake-up call for Indonesia to prepare for 6G, stating that if 5G is slow, it is not a problem to jump to 6G, as it depends on market needs and economics.

“If 5G is slow, jumping to 6G is not a problem. It depends on market needs and economics.”Sarwoto Atmosutarno, Chairman of Mastel

The Indonesian government has set a target to increase 5G coverage to 80% by 2030, but as of now, the country is still finalizing the auction of frequencies necessary for this expansion. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) has been working on allocating frequencies in the 700 MHz and 2.6 GHz bands, but these do not meet the requirements for 6G, which needs a bandwidth of at least 200 MHz. Adis Alifiawan, Director of Frequency Spectrum Regulation at Komdigi, noted that the current auctioned frequencies do not suffice for a robust 6G infrastructure.

“If we do not plan well, we will find ourselves lagging behind when the international environment is ready.”Sarwoto Atmosutarno, Chairman of Mastel

At a recent seminar hosted by Mastel, discussions highlighted the importance of preparing the Upper 6 GHz frequency band (6425–7125 MHz) to support both 5G-Advanced and 6G technologies. Sarwoto explained that without proper planning, Indonesia risks being unprepared when the international community is ready to adopt 6G technologies, emphasizing the need for careful planning to avoid lagging behind.

Moreover, experts highlighted that the development of 6G will not only rely on terrestrial networks but will also integrate satellite technology, which is crucial for Indonesia's vast archipelago of over 17,000 islands. Eko Dono Indarto, Deputy for Coordination of Communication and Information at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, emphasized that satellite connectivity will be essential for ensuring comprehensive coverage across the country.

“The utilization of Upper 6 GHz is a strategic agenda that requires collaboration among all stakeholders.”Sarwoto Atmosutarno, Chairman of Mastel

As Indonesia navigates these challenges, the government and industry stakeholders are encouraged to collaborate closely to establish a sustainable and adaptive spectrum policy that supports both current and future telecommunications needs. The urgency of this preparation is underscored by the potential economic benefits that advanced mobile technologies can bring to the nation. Sarwoto noted that the utilization of Upper 6 GHz is a strategic agenda that requires collaboration among all stakeholders.