Indonesia Mulls VoIP Restrictions on WhatsApp, Zoom to Ensure Fairer Digital Ecosystem
Main Takeaways
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JAKARTA, investortrust.id — Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs is considering restrictions on voice and video call features from apps such as WhatsApp, Zoom, and Telegram, as part of efforts to address what officials call an “unfair burden” on local network providers.
The ministry’s proposed regulation would target Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services—core to applications like WhatsApp Call and Google Meet—which rely heavily on internet infrastructure but currently contribute little or nothing to its upkeep, according to officials.
In a recent public discussion, Denny Setiawan, Director of Strategy and Digital Infrastructure Policy at the ministry, said that while the plan remains under internal discussion, the government is seeking a “middle ground.”
“We understand the public still needs WhatsApp and similar services. But features that demand large network capacity should involve some form of contribution, especially since it’s our operators who build and maintain the networks but get nothing in return,” said Denny on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
VoIP technology allows audio and video communication to run over the internet instead of traditional telephone networks. While it underpins modern digital communication, officials argue that foreign over-the-top (OTT) platforms benefit disproportionately from Indonesian telecom infrastructure without paying into its development.
Citing examples from countries like the United Arab Emirates, where text messaging remains available but VoIP features on apps like WhatsApp are blocked, Denny said such partial restrictions are being studied.
According to data from the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII), around 71% of national internet traffic comes from video streaming and digital communication, most of which is generated by global OTT services. These platforms, however, provide no direct financial contribution to local operators or the state.
“The goal of this regulation is mutual benefit,” Denny said. “The OTT platforms aren’t contributing, while our operators bleed to build the infrastructure.”
Industry Voices Call for Balance
Technology experts say the government’s idea has merit—but only if executed carefully.
Heru Sutadi, Executive Director of the Indonesia Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Institute, supported requiring foreign OTT players to establish a permanent business entity in Indonesia, or badan usaha tetap (BUT).
“If they’re obligated to register and open a local business, that would mean more jobs, tax revenue, and stronger guarantees for data privacy and security. That’s a win for the public,” Heru told investortrust.id on Friday, July 18.
However, Heru cautioned that restricting features like voice and video calls could backfire.
“These services are part of everyday life now—for personal use and for work. If banned, the public backlash will be huge. It’ll feel like we’re regressing 10–15 years,” he warned.
He also dismissed the idea that such restrictions could revive revenue from legacy SMS and voice services.
“Blocking WhatsApp or Zoom won’t bring back the heyday of traditional telecoms. The business model has changed. Operators need to innovate and find new revenue streams.”
Looking Ahead
While other countries such as India, South Korea, and Germany are also re-evaluating how OTT platforms contribute to their digital ecosystems—some introducing direct fees, partnership models, or feature limits—Indonesia’s policy remains in its formative stage.
Officials reiterated that any regulation will be carefully weighed against the public’s right to access digital services and the broader goal of maintaining equitable and sustainable infrastructure.
“This is still a discussion. But we need a system where both the public and operators benefit—and OTT players do their fair share,” said Denny.