Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia’s digital transformation is entering a crucial phase, driven by rapid advancements in 5G technology and artificial intelligence (AI). The synergy between these two technologies is becoming a key enabler for accelerating digitalization while strengthening Indonesia’s global competitiveness.
In this context, 5G plays a vital role as critical infrastructure by delivering ultra-fast connectivity, low latency, and massive network capacity. The issue was highlighted during the IndoTelko Forum 2026 held in Jakarta on April 29, 2026.
Meanwhile, a survey conducted by Ericsson ConsumerLab revealed that the increasing adoption of AI is also driving demand for reliable and consistent network connectivity. This positions 5G in two strategic roles: accommodating surging data traffic and uplink demands, while also serving as critical national infrastructure. The integration of 5G and AI is opening new opportunities for innovation across industries, healthcare, education, and public services.
5G Infrastructure Critical for AI Growth
“Demand for AI is increasing at an extraordinary pace, and without strong 5G connectivity support, Indonesia risks falling behind in capturing these opportunities. Through the IndoTelko Forum, we are fostering multi-stakeholder dialogue to align efforts in addressing challenges and maximizing 5G opportunities, enabling Indonesia to gain optimal benefits and accelerate the realization of Indonesia Emas 2045,” said Setia Gunawan.
Director General of Digital Infrastructure at Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, Wayan Toni Supriyanto, emphasized that digital transformation is a major pillar in achieving the Indonesia Emas 2045 vision.
“The government is committed to creating policies that not only ensure governance but also encourage innovation and investment. The ministry’s policy direction includes accelerating technology development through spectrum optimization, establishing sustainable and responsible governance, strengthening personal data protection, and creating a conducive investment climate for digital infrastructure development,” Wayan explained.
Accelerating 5G Standalone Deployment
Nora Wahby stated that 5G is projected to contribute up to US$41 billion to Indonesia’s GDP between 2024 and 2030 through innovations enabled by the platform.
“To maximize this potential, accelerating the deployment of 5G Standalone (SA) networks is an important step to support the growing surge in mobile data usage and AI workloads across various industries,” she said.
Discussions during the IndoTelko Forum 2026 reinforced the view that accelerating 5G deployment has become a strategic necessity to ensure Indonesia remains competitive in the global AI revolution. Smart, secure, and resilient 5G infrastructure will serve as a key foundation for scaling innovation across multiple sectors.
Conclusion
The convergence of AI and 5G is becoming a major driving force behind Indonesia’s digital transformation agenda. With stronger infrastructure, supportive regulations, and collaboration between government and industry, Indonesia has the opportunity to accelerate innovation, improve global competitiveness, and build a more connected digital economy toward the Indonesia Emas 2045 vision.
Read more: Government Deploys 722 Internet Access Points Across South Kalimantan to Eliminate Blankspots and Accelerate Digital Transformation