Nokia and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison are pushing Indonesia’s mobile network toward a new phase, where 5G and artificial intelligence are designed to work as one system. The plan is not limited to faster connectivity, but also to a broader digital reach that could touch more than 80% of the country’s population within three to five years.
The partnership places AI at the center of network design rather than treating it as an add-on. That shift is expected to support stronger performance, smoother services, and a more responsive digital experience for users across Indonesia.
Building a smarter 5G backbone
As part of the collaboration, Nokia will introduce its latest 5G Radio Access Network, or RAN, technology. The deployment will combine AI-RAN architecture with AI Grid development alongside NVIDIA to create a more adaptive network foundation.
The companies say the integrated approach is meant to improve operational efficiency while also making digital services run more seamlessly. It is also intended to open space for new AI-based services that can better match the needs of customers.
Indosat President Director and CEO Vikram Sinha said the transformation reflects the company’s commitment to delivering a better digital experience for Indonesians. He said an AI-integrated network foundation will help improve connectivity quality and prepare the company for the next wave of digital innovation.
He also pointed to the need for a stronger and more flexible network that can keep up with changing customer demands. Those demands cover learning, working, communication, and business activities in the digital era.
Expanding coverage beyond major urban centers
One of the main goals of the project is to broaden Indosat’s 5G footprint across low and mid-band frequencies. This move is aimed at extending coverage to more regions, including areas that have not yet had sufficient access to digital services.
Nokia says the technology it is bringing in could expand 5G coverage to more than 80% of Indonesia’s population over the next three to five years. At the same time, it is expected to improve energy efficiency and overall service quality.
Nokia President and CEO Justin Hotard said the future of telecommunications will depend on operators’ ability to combine connectivity, artificial intelligence, and operational scale at the same time. He said the partnership points to an industry direction centered on smarter and more efficient networks.
For deployment, Nokia will use its latest radio equipment based on Habrok and Pandion technology. The system will also include intelligent network management tools and AI-driven automation.
National AI ecosystem ambitions
The collaboration goes beyond network upgrades. Indosat also plans to develop a national AI ecosystem through stronger AI Grid and AI Factories capabilities, supported by an AI-RAN Innovation Center in Surabaya and the NVIDIA AI Technology Center ecosystem.
That direction could accelerate AI adoption in strategic sectors such as public services, education, health care, agriculture, and digital industry. The companies see the effort as part of a wider effort to strengthen Indonesia’s digital foundation.
SVP Telecoms NVIDIA Ronnie Vasishta said the partnership is an important step toward turning 5G networks into AI platforms. He said AI-RAN allows AI and connectivity to advance side by side, improving network efficiency while enabling new applications.
With Nokia, Indosat, and NVIDIA working together, the goal is not only wider access but also a stronger national AI base. The companies say that foundation could support digital economic growth while improving quality of life for people across the country.
The broader implication is clear: the next phase of Indonesia’s telecom expansion is being framed as an AI-led transformation. If the rollout progresses as planned, the country could see a more intelligent network architecture reaching far beyond its biggest cities.