Nokia and Indosat lock in nationwide AI-RAN rollout in Indonesia

Nokia and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison have officially formalised a strategic agreement to deploy an artificial intelligence-based radio access network across Indonesia. This partnership marks a significant transition from the initial collaborative research phase into a large-scale nationwide implementation. The initiative focuses on modernising existing infrastructure while integrating advanced computing capabilities directly into the mobile network. By leveraging this technology, the companies aim to transform the way telecommunications services are delivered to millions of subscribers in the region.

The rollout is powered by Nvidia technology, which provides the necessary processing power to handle complex artificial intelligence workloads at the network edge. This integration allows the radio access network to perform real-time data analysis and resource management, which were previously difficult to achieve with traditional hardware. The partners intend to use these capabilities to optimise spectrum efficiency and improve the overall reliability of the mobile connection. This modernisation project is expected to cover both urban centres and rural areas to ensure consistent service quality.

Under the terms of the agreement, Nokia will supply its latest AirScale radio portfolio and baseband equipment to support the transition. These systems are designed to be energy-efficient while maintaining the high capacity required for modern data demands. The deployment specifically targets the enhancement of fifth-generation connectivity, allowing for lower latency and higher throughput for consumer and enterprise applications. Indosat has indicated that this shift towards AI-RAN is a critical component of its digitisation strategy for the Indonesian market.

The implementation phase will involve the installation of hardware that can simultaneously manage mobile traffic and host artificial intelligence applications. This dual-purpose infrastructure reduces the traditional divide between telecommunications equipment and cloud computing resources. By executing AI tasks closer to the user, the network can support emerging services such as autonomous logistics and industrial automation within the local economy. The transition is also expected to reduce operational costs for the operator by automating several manual network management functions.

Industry analysts suggest that this agreement positions Indonesia as a key adopter of innovative network architectures in the Southeast Asian region. The collaboration between a global technology provider and a major local mobile operator demonstrates the growing demand for intelligent infrastructure in emerging markets. Both companies have committed to a phased deployment schedule that will see the first upgraded sites coming online in the near future. The focus remains on building a resilient network that can adapt to fluctuating traffic patterns and evolving technology standards.

Moving forward, the successful execution of this AI-RAN strategy is anticipated to provide a blueprint for other operators seeking to integrate deep learning into their mobile networks. As the hardware is deployed across the country, Indosat will monitor performance metrics to fine-tune the system for maximum local impact. The partners plan to continue exploring additional use cases for the technology as the digital ecosystem in Indonesia grows more complex. This long-term expansion is set to play a pivotal role in the nation’s broader digital transformation goals over the coming years.