Something big is brewing in Indonesia’s digital world, and it’s about to change how every mobile user registers their number. The shift feels overdue, especially after years of loopholes that let criminals slip through the cracks. But now the system is moving toward something tighter and far more secure. Komdigi is preparing a new registration rule of SIM registration that relies on biometric population data using face recognition.
This marks a clear departure from the older method that depended on NIK and Family Card numbers, as outlined in Regulation No. 5/2021. That old process seemed simple enough on paper, but in practice it opened the door to hoaxes, online gambling, spam texts, and fraud. The misuse became so widespread that updating the rules no longer felt optional.
The ministry wants the new system to ensure customer data is validated in a way that’s safe, efficient, and harder to manipulate. The idea isn’t coming out of nowhere either. Article 153 paragraph (2) of Regulation No. 5/2021 already states that telecom providers must apply Know Your Customer procedures, and biometric for SIM registration is allowed. What hasn’t been set yet is the technical guidance on how biometric population data should actually be used. The upcoming rule aims to fill that gap.
While these changes are being prepared, there’s another group that needs clear guidance too: foreign tourists. Anyone visiting Indonesia will want to stay connected, and that means understanding how to get a tourist SIM card. It sounds minor, but a working phone can make everything easier, from finding a hotel to checking the nearest place to eat.
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Kominfo’s official website explains that foreign nationals must register their SIM cards, especially prepaid cards, at official outlets. Prepaid cards can also be activated at unofficial outlets, but only if those outlets have been appointed by the operator to handle registration validation. When tourists reach the outlet, staff will ask for passport details or a KITAS, along with the prepaid number they plan to use.
After that, the process depends on the operator. Each major mobile provider offers its own way for tourists to register and pick up a SIM card. The steps may vary, but the goal is the same: make sure visitors can stay connected while Indonesia moves toward a more secure digital ecosystem.
