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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Technology

Government Bans Operators from Forfeiting Unused Internet Quotas

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The Indonesian government has issued a circular letter prohibiting mobile operators from forfeiting unused internet data paid for by customers.
  • This policy, a follow-up to a Constitutional Court decision, ensures remaining data quotas are protected and cannot be charged for.
  • Operators must now offer various service options, like rollover or refunds, and provide clear information to customers about their data rights.

Indonesia's government has mandated that telecommunication operators can no longer forfeit unused internet data that customers have already paid for. This new policy, formalized in a Circular Letter from the Minister of Communication and Digital (SE Menkomdigi), directly implements a decision by the Constitutional Court.

The quota that has been paid by customers is the customers' right. The remaining quota cannot simply be forfeited, and operators cannot charge additional fees to maintain the remaining quota.

— Meutya HafidMinister of Communication and Digital, emphasizing customer rights regarding paid internet data.

The directive, issued on August 28, 2026, specifically prohibits operators from unilaterally canceling remaining data quotas when a package's active period ends. Furthermore, it forbids them from imposing any additional charges for customers wishing to retain or use their leftover data. Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid stressed that paid-for data is a customer's right and must be protected.

This move aims to ensure customers receive fair value for their telecommunication expenses. The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi) has been receiving numerous complaints regarding operators' non-compliance with the court's ruling. The new circular serves as a legal instrument to enforce adherence to these regulations.

We have also received many complaints from the public that operators have not fully complied with the Constitutional Court's decision that remaining internet quotas belonging to customers cannot be unilaterally forfeited when the package's active period ends. Therefore, this circular letter was created to ensure operators comply with legal policies in Indonesia.

— Meutya HafidExplaining the necessity of the new circular to enforce existing regulations.

Beyond protecting remaining quotas, Kemkomdigi now requires operators to offer a range of service options, allowing customers to choose mechanisms that best suit their usage patterns. These protections can include quota rollover, extended validity periods, benefit transfers, or refunds. The ministry also mandates that operators provide clear, easily understandable information to customers about pricing, data volumes, validity, and the terms governing their data usage and any remaining quotas.

Previously, service options were mostly determined by operators. Now we ensure customers have choices. Customers have the right to choose services that suit their needs and usage patterns, not for operators to choose for customers.

— Meutya HafidHighlighting the shift towards customer-centric service options in telecommunications.
About this summary

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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