Nokia and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison have entered a partnership focused on upgrading Indonesia’s mobile infrastructure through the deployment of advanced 5G radio access technologies. Under the agreement, Nokia will help expand both low-band and mid-band 5G capabilities across Indosat’s nationwide network. The initiative is designed to create a high-performance platform prepared for artificial intelligence applications while delivering stronger reliability, responsiveness, and consistency for customers using digital services throughout the country.

The project extends beyond adding network capacity. The companies aim to create a stronger foundation for a wide range of digital experiences, including entertainment, gaming, work-related connectivity, education, communication, and everyday online activities. By strengthening network flexibility and performance, Indosat intends to better respond to changing customer requirements while supporting broader access to digital services across Indonesia. The upgraded infrastructure is also expected to support both consumer and enterprise applications spanning public services, industrial operations, and digital platforms.

The collaboration also advances efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into telecommunications infrastructure. Nokia, Indosat, and NVIDIA are working together on AI-RAN development, using a shared architecture that combines connectivity with intelligence. Following the completion of an AI-RAN call at Mobile World Congress 2026, the next stage involves field testing in Indonesia before the end of 2026. The companies are also developing AI-based algorithms intended to improve spectral efficiency on NVIDIA-powered AI-RAN platforms, with these capabilities expected to be included in upcoming trials.

Alongside network modernization, Indosat is expanding an AI Grid model that combines centralized AI facilities with distributed AI-RAN infrastructure. According to the companies, this approach creates a unified intelligence layer capable of delivering both AI capabilities and connectivity to millions of people. Existing efforts tied to local AI development are already supporting applications in government services, healthcare, education, and agriculture through initiatives connected to the AI-RAN Innovation Center in Surabaya and the NVIDIA AI Technology Center ecosystem.

As part of the deployment, Nokia will introduce its Habrok and Pandion radio families, Levante basebands, Centralized RAN technology, and advanced automation and network management platforms. Low-band 5G will be deployed throughout the network footprint, while mid-band coverage is planned to reach approximately 80% of the network during the next three and a half years. The companies state that automation and energy-focused technologies will help improve operational performance while supporting a sustainable approach to expanding digital infrastructure for businesses and consumers across Indonesia.

📊 What This Means (Our Analysis)

This partnership brings together network expansion, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and automation under a single long-term strategy. Rather than treating connectivity and AI as separate initiatives, the companies are building them simultaneously, creating a framework that can support new digital services while extending access across a wider geographic footprint.

The announcement also highlights how future network investments are increasingly tied to intelligence platforms instead of connectivity alone. By combining nationwide 5G deployment with AI-RAN development and AI Grid infrastructure, the project creates a foundation that supports digital inclusion, operational efficiency, and broader access to technology-driven services across multiple sectors.

📌 Our Take: The combination of 5G expansion and AI infrastructure positions digital connectivity as a platform for Indonesia’s next stage of growth.