High-capacity, low-latency networks are increasingly becoming the foundation for a new generation of innovations, from internet of things (IoT) applications to artificial intelligence-powered services. At the same time, Indonesia faces another challenge: ensuring that the benefits of AI are accessible to everyone. Without adequate digital access and skills, only a limited segment of society may be able to fully harness AI technologies, potentially widening existing social and economic gaps.

Addressing these challenges requires a balanced approach that combines advanced connectivity, AI infrastructure and talent development.

Against this backdrop, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) has joined forces with Nokia and NVIDIA to help build Indonesia's next-generation digital infrastructure. By combining advanced 5G connectivity with AI capabilities, the collaboration aims to accelerate inclusive digital transformation, strengthen national competitiveness and prepare Indonesia for opportunities in the AI era.

The partnership was highlighted during a media discussion at Indosat's headquarters in Jakarta on June 9, where executives outlined their vision for Indonesia's next chapter of digital infrastructure development.

Indosat President Director and CEO Vikram Sinha, Nokia President and CEO Justin Hotard and NVIDIA Telecoms Senior Vice President Ronnie Vasishta emphasized the significance of the collaboration.

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“This is a very strong partnership, bringing together unique technology capabilities. NVIDIA brings the AI infrastructure and computing capabilities that enable both AI and radio access network software to run efficiently on the same platform,” Sinha said.

He also stressed the importance of talent development, saying Indonesia must build capabilities across every layer of the digital ecosystem.

Hotard noted that the partnership aligns with Indosat's vision of integrating data centers, AI Grid infrastructure, AI-native radio networks and AI-enabled 5G.

Vasishta highlighted the spirit of gotong royong, or mutual cooperation, saying AI-enabled networks can only be built through close collaboration among technology partners.

The media discussion followed the formalization of a strategic partnership between Indosat, Nokia and NVIDIA aimed at strengthening Indonesia's 5G and AI-ready digital infrastructure.

Nokia and Indosat have signed an agreement to modernize Indosat's nationwide mobile network through the deployment of advanced 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) technologies.

As a key technology partner, Nokia will support the rollout of low- and mid-band 5G to help build high-performance, AI-ready networks designed to deliver a more seamless, reliable and responsive digital experience.

“More than a network upgrade, this collaboration reflects a shared ambition to bring customers closer to the digital experiences that matter most to them, from immersive entertainment and gaming to more reliable connectivity for work, learning, communication and everyday digital activities,” the companies said in a statement.

The deployment will enhance network capacity, performance and coverage across Indonesia while supporting Indosat's ambition to expand digital access more inclusively nationwide. The upgraded network will also enable advanced consumer and enterprise applications across sectors such as public services, industry and digital services.

Unlocking AI-enabled services

While Nokia's role focuses on strengthening network infrastructure, NVIDIA's contribution centers on enabling AI capabilities that can run efficiently across that infrastructure.

Beyond expanding connectivity, the collaboration is designed to create the digital infrastructure needed to support Indonesia's next phase of economic and technological growth.

The partnership reflects a shared ambition to transform connectivity into a platform for intelligence. AI-RAN provides a common architecture for combining connectivity and AI, with Nokia and NVIDIA already working with Indosat to advance the technology.

The companies are targeting field trials in Indonesia by the end of 2026 following the completion of the first AI-RAN call demonstrated at Mobile World Congress 2026.

The collaboration will also support the development of AI algorithms designed to improve spectral efficiency on NVIDIA AI-RAN platforms.

By combining centralized AI factories with distributed AI-RAN infrastructure, Indosat is advancing its AI Grid strategy, creating a unified intelligence layer capable of distributing both AI services and connectivity to millions of Indonesians.

Supported by the AI-RAN Innovation Center in Surabaya and the NVIDIA AI Technology Center ecosystem, the initiative is already helping accelerate AI applications in government services, health care, education and agriculture.

“At Indosat, we continuously evolve to serve our customers better by understanding their needs more deeply and delivering experiences that truly matter to them,” Sinha said.

“Together with Nokia and NVIDIA, we are building a reliable and AI-ready network foundation that will elevate connectivity and create a more seamless digital experience. This collaboration strengthens our readiness for the next phase of digital innovation while reinforcing our commitment to inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.”

Hotard said the next phase of network evolution would be defined by how effectively operators combine connectivity, intelligence and scale.

“Together with Indosat and NVIDIA, Nokia is helping build a network that expands 5G, enables new AI-driven services and creates long-term value,” he said.

Vasishta added that AI-RAN creates an architecture where AI and connectivity can work side by side to improve efficiency, enable new applications and support digital transformation at scale.

As part of the agreement, Nokia will deploy its latest Habrok and Pandion radio families, Levante basebands, centralized RAN and advanced network automation platforms.

Low-band 5G will be introduced across the full network footprint, while mid-band 5G is expected to cover approximately 80 percent of the network over the next three and a half years. AI-driven automation and energy-efficient technologies are expected to improve operational efficiency and support more sustainable digital transformation.

5G technology delivers ultra-fast speeds, ultra-low latency and massive connectivity, enabling real-time communications, IoT ecosystems and industrial automation.

Through this partnership, Indosat, Nokia and NVIDIA are demonstrating how 5G and AI can be combined to support digital inclusion across Indonesia's diverse geography. The 5G expansion project provides the connectivity foundation for an AI Grid, while the AI-RAN road map creates a pathway for bringing AI workloads closer to the network and generating new value for businesses, public services and communities.

Ultimately, the collaboration aims to ensure that the benefits of digitalization and AI can be enjoyed more broadly across Indonesia. By combining advanced connectivity, AI infrastructure and talent development, the three companies are laying the groundwork for a more connected, intelligent and inclusive digital future.

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