The Ministry of Communication and Digital announced the results of the 1.4 GHz frequency auction that will be used to expand affordable internet services with speeds up to 100 Mbps across Indonesia.

Two companies emerged as winners: PT Telemedia Komunikasi Pratama, a subsidiary of Surge (WIFI), and PT Eka Mas Republik, the owner of MyRepublic service.

For Regional I, which includes Java and Papua, the Ministry designated Surge as the winner with a bid value of Rp403.76 billion.

Meanwhile, MyRepublic successfully secured frequency usage rights in Regional II and III with total bids reaching over Rp400 billion.

In Regional II, which includes Bali, Nusa Tenggara, and parts of Sumatra, MyRepublic won the auction with a price of Rp300.88 billion.

While in Regional III, which includes Kalimantan and Sulawesi regions, the company submitted a bid worth Rp100.88 billion.

The 1.4 GHz frequency will be used for broadband wireless access (BWA) services with the following regional division:

Regional I covers six zones, including Zone 4 covering Banten, Jakarta, Bogor City, Bogor Regency, Depok, Bekasi City, and Bekasi Regency; Zone 5 for other West Java areas; Zone 6 Central Java and Yogyakarta; Zone 7 East Java; as well as Zones 9 and 10 covering Papua and Maluku regions.

Regional II is divided into Zone 1 for Aceh and North Sumatra, Zone 2 for West Sumatra, Riau, and Jambi, Zone 3 for Bangka Belitung Islands, South Sumatra, Bengkulu, and Lampung, Zone 8 for Bali and Nusa Tenggara, and Zone 15 for Riau Islands.

Regional III consists of Zone 11 covering West, South, and Southeast Sulawesi; Zone 12 for North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, and Central Sulawesi; Zone 13 for Central and West Kalimantan; and Zone 14 for South, North, and East Kalimantan.

This frequency auction is the first after five years, since the government last auctioned the 2.3 GHz band in 2020 which was won by Telkomsel with a value of Rp1 trillion. Meanwhile, the 2.1 GHz frequency in the same year was won by Indosat and Tri.

Java

Java is the world’s most populous island and the cultural and historical heart of Indonesia. It has been a major center of Hindu-Buddhist empires, such as the Majapahit, and later a core of Islamic sultanates and Dutch colonial rule. Today, it is renowned for its vibrant cities, ancient temples like Borobudur, and its unique artistic traditions such as batik and wayang puppet theater.

Papua

Papua is the easternmost region of Indonesia, comprising most of the western half of the island of New Guinea. It is known for its immense cultural diversity, with hundreds of distinct indigenous tribes, and its vast tracts of pristine tropical rainforest. Historically, the region was known as Irian Jaya and its incorporation into Indonesia has been a subject of ongoing political complexity.

Bali

Bali is an Indonesian island renowned for its volcanic mountains, iconic rice paddies, beaches, and coral reefs. It is a major global tourist destination, celebrated for its unique and deeply spiritual Hindu culture, which sets it apart from the rest of Muslim-majority Indonesia. The island’s history is marked by a rich heritage of Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms and the influence of its intricate temple ceremonies and artistic traditions.

Nusa Tenggara

Nusa Tenggara is a southeastern Indonesian archipelago, also known as the Lesser Sunda Islands, comprising islands like Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, and Timor. Historically, it was a region of small, competing kingdoms and a significant hub in the spice trade, attracting European colonial powers like the Portuguese and Dutch. The area is renowned for its diverse cultures, ancient traditions, and dramatic landscapes, including active volcanoes and the famous Komodo National Park.

Sumatra

Sumatra is one of Indonesia’s major islands, located in Southeast Asia. It has a rich history as a key hub for ancient maritime trade and was home to powerful Buddhist kingdoms like Srivijaya. Today, it is known for its diverse ecosystems, including rainforests that are home to unique wildlife like orangutans and tigers.

Kalimantan

Kalimantan is the Indonesian portion of the island of Borneo, renowned for its vast and biodiverse tropical rainforests. Historically, the region was influenced by Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms before the spread of Islam, and its interior is home to the indigenous Dayak people. Today, it is a major global producer of commodities like palm oil, though this has led to significant environmental challenges such as deforestation.

Sulawesi

Sulawesi is a large, uniquely shaped island in Indonesia, historically known for its ancient rock art and as the home of the Toraja people, famous for their elaborate ancestral funeral rites. The island’s history includes early human settlement, evidenced by archaeological finds, and the influence of powerful pre-colonial kingdoms like Gowa and Bone. Today, it is recognized for its exceptional biodiversity, both on land and in its surrounding marine environments.

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is a historic city on the island of Java, Indonesia, renowned as a center for classical Javanese arts and culture. It was the seat of the powerful Mataram Sultanate and served as the capital of Indonesia during the Indonesian National Revolution from 1946 to 1949. The city is a major tourist destination, famed for its nearby ancient temple complexes of Borobudur and Prambanan.