The Indonesian government has backed a mobile industry proposal to increase the tax on 2G handset sales.

According to the Jakarta Post, the government wants to see a majority of the country’s users moving to 4G in the next three or four years.

Communications and information minister Rudiantara is hoping a decrease in 4G pricing will encourage the switchover, which would also free up spectrum.

“We estimate that the price of a 4G smartphone will stand at around IPR400,000 ($30) in the next three or four years, with consumer purchasing power growing even stronger,” he said.

However, shifting the country to a majority 4G base over that timeframe will not be straightforward. Currently a majority of users are on 2G. According to GSMA Intelligence, 209 million of the country’s total 323 million mobile connections (Q1 2015 figures) are on 2G, compared to 113 million on 3G and just 1.34 million on 4G.

Hence the government’s interest in swinging the odds more in favour of 4G. For instance, it has welcomed a recent proposal by the Indonesian Cellular Telecommunications Association (ATSI) for a higher tax on 2G handsets. Alternatively, a cut in 4G tax is another idea being floated.

Rudiantara, who had a background in the mobile industry before a move into politics, said his ministry welcomed the association’s proposal and thought it would get a decent reception elswhere, although he admitted to having not discussed it with his colleagues in finance.

“I think the finance ministry will be fine with it, as their tax revenue will increase,” he said.

However, if the policy does prove successful – and 2G sales drop – then presumably tax receipts will actually decrease, probably to finance ministry’s displeasure.

The country’s leading operators – Telkomsel, XL Axiata and Indosat – launched 4G commercially at the end of 2014.  According to the industry, affordable handsets are key to the success of 4G.