Reasons why iPhone : iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 users in Indonesia have not been able to enjoy 5G services. That’s because there are still problems with the spectrum and software. According to the Minister of Communication and Information (Kominfo), Johnny G Plate, globally, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 rely on the 3.5 GHz and 2.6 GHz frequencies.
Meanwhile in Indonesia, new 5G services use the 2.3 GHz spectrum. For the spectrum of 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz in Indonesia, currently it is still used by satellite TV services.
“In Indonesia, the 3.5 and 2.6 GHz bands are still used by satellite services and have not been provided for 5G services. 5G services in Indonesia work on the 2.3 GHz band,” Johnny explained via text message,
Reasons why iPhone However, according to Bagus Hernawan as an observer of Apple devices from the MakeMac website, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 can technically support 5G services in Indonesia. “Actually, if it’s a matter of frequency, it should be possible (access 5G). The iPhone 12 series and 13 series use a very broad 5G band,” said Bagus.
From KompasTekno’s search on Apple’s official website, hardware-wise, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 both support two 5G frequencies that are already commercial in Indonesia. iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 support the 2.3 GHz (n40) band that Telkomsel uses to roll out 5G, the two iPhones can also be used to enjoy Indosat Ooredoo’s 5G service on the 1.8 GHz (n3) frequency.
In more detail, all iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models already support the 5G mmWave (sub-6 GHz) feature, as well as 5G NR in the frequency bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n77, n78, and n79.
In addition to the issue of frequency, the Minister of Communication and Information also mentioned that Apple has not unlocked the 5G “lock” for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 in Indonesia. For information, all smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, must unlock the software lock to unlock 5G access.
Reasons why iPhone Usually, vendors roll out software updates to unlock 5G access. In this regard, the Minister of Communication and Information claims to have asked Apple to unlock 5G for iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 in Indonesia. “Kominfo has reminded Apple to immediately anticipate, so that iPhone devices can immediately provide 5G services in the 2.3 GHz band,” Johnny explained.
Bagus also agreed that software updates are needed so that the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 can access 5G services in Indonesia at this time. “It’s enough for operators in Indonesia, which 5G bands do you want to use, then access is opened for iPhone devices,” said Bagus.
Similar to the case of the iPhone 5 in 2012 Regarding the iPhone 12 and 13 whose 5G has not been used, Bagus said that this is similar to the era of the iPhone 5 which was launched in Indonesia last December 2012. At that time, the iPhone 5 already supported LTE networks, but it could not be enjoyed in the country, which at that time was still dominated by 3G services and below.
“This is similar to the era of the iPhone 5 when it was first released (in Indonesia), and 4G entered Indonesia,” said Bagus. At that time, there was a difference in the 4G frequency used by cellular operators in Indonesia with the frequency used by the iPhone 5. The 4G service in Indonesia was only officially released in 2014 by Telkomsel. However, previously, the 4G service was launched by the broadband internet service provider Sitra WiMAX from PT. First Media in 2010.
