The Indonesian government plans to hold a limited tender for unused spectrum in the 2.1 GHz and 2.3 GHz bands by the middle of the year. The government expects to issue the terms of the tender process by the end of March 2017, and to announce the winner by mid-year. Only existing operators will be entitled to participate in the limited tender. Plans to reallocate the unused capacity in the 2.1 GHz band returned by Axis Telecom in 2014 following its merger into XL Axiata have been in the works since 2015, but the process had been delayed by technical and other difficulties. Indonesian operators, facing a spectrum crunch in major cities, have responded enthusiastically to the announcement, and are urging the government to ensure there are no further delays.
