Indonesia’s SIM card registration process is set for a major shift, with face verification becoming mandatory for new subscribers starting 1 July 2026. The long-standing method that relied only on NIK and KK will no longer be accepted for new registrations, closing the door on the older system without any grace period.
The change reflects Komdigi’s view that the previous method no longer provides enough security. Director General of the Digital Ecosystem at Komdigi, Edwin Hidayat Abdullah, said at a press conference in Jakarta on Friday, 29/05/2026, that biometric registration for new customers is ready for nationwide implementation.
Why the old method is being retired
Komdigi has pointed to repeated misuse in the previous registration scheme as a key reason for the shift. One example mentioned by the ministry was a police raid in East Java that uncovered SIM card activations using KTP data or family card numbers obtained illegally.
That kind of abuse is part of why face recognition is being introduced as an additional layer of protection. With biometric verification, the registration process is expected to be harder to manipulate and easier to trust.
Trials came first
Before the nationwide rollout, Komdigi and mobile operators carried out trials in early 2026. The use of facial recognition for SIM card registration had also been studied by Komdigi since the previous year.
Three operators took part in the trial period: Telkomsel, Indosat, and XLSMART. In their outlets, registration required face recognition, while locations that had not yet been equipped still used manual procedures.
Edwin said Komdigi also monitored the system’s reliability over the past five months. That monitoring became one of the foundations for moving the policy into full implementation in July.
What users can expect
Komdigi says the new web-based system is designed to be more efficient for users. It is described as capable of completing registration in less than one minute.
During the trial period, Edwin said the customer experience was also comfortable. He added that the system’s effectiveness had already become visible through the smooth rollout of the pilot.
The policy is not framed only as a technical update. Komdigi said the biometric approach is intended to protect mobile operators, consumers, and the government at the same time.
What changes on 1 July 2026
For new customers, the practical impact is straightforward: NIK and KK alone will no longer be enough. Face-based biometric verification will become the main requirement for SIM card registration.
The national transition has been prepared through trials with operators and customers. Komdigi is using that experience as the basis for ending the old method and entering a full face-based SIM registration phase across the country.
Source: www.idntimes.com
