Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia’s digital transformation is entering a new phase. Digitalization is no longer focused solely on network development and technology adoption, but is increasingly being directed toward improving productivity, strengthening industrial competitiveness, and generating tangible contributions to national economic growth.

This was among the key topics discussed at the 3rd Digital Transformation Forum (DTF) 2026, organized by Selular Media Network at Arion Suites Kemang Hotel in Jakarta on Monday, September 21, 2026.

Held under the theme “Cross-Industry, Institutional, and Government Collaboration to Drive Digitalization and Economic Progress,” the forum brought together representatives from the government, telecommunications operators, internet associations, technology device and retail industries, and the palm oil sector.

Government Digitalization Strengthens the Economic Ecosystem

Head of the Public Relations and Information Technology Bureau at the Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Mamur Saputra, said digitalization has become essential to the delivery of public services.

According to Mamur, technological changes require government services to become faster, more transparent, and easier for the public to access.

The digital integration of legal, human rights, immigration, and correctional services is expected to strengthen legal certainty while supporting the investment climate and fostering a more inclusive economic ecosystem.

Several services have already been digitized, including online passports, automated immigration gates, electronic visas, digital residence permits, an integrated inmate database, and the Legal Documentation and Information Network (JDIH).

Beyond service digitalization, the government is also emphasizing cybersecurity, human resource development, system interoperability, and collaboration with industry as important elements of the digital transformation process.

Telecommunications Industry Moves Toward a TechCo Model

In the telecommunications sector, the development of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing is driving changes in operators’ business models.

Machdi Fauzi, VP Head of Ecosystem Regulatory Affairs at Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH), said the telecommunications industry is gradually shifting from a traditional Telco model toward a TechCo model.

Connectivity remains the foundation, but greater value is increasingly being generated through digital services, applications, industry solutions, and AI.

This transformation requires regulatory support that can maintain investment sustainability. One issue highlighted was spectrum costs, including the evaluation of existing frequency utilization.

According to Machdi, infrastructure sharing and spectrum sharing could also contribute to strengthening the digital ecosystem.

“Connectivity remains the foundation, but the greatest monetization opportunities in the future will be at the upper layers, such as applications, digital solutions, and AI. Collaboration between regulators and operators is the key to enabling Indonesia’s digital ecosystem to advance further,” he said.

Cross-Sector Collaboration Becomes Essential

Elly Noor, Head of Institutional Affairs at the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII), emphasized the importance of collaboration among ministries, government agencies, associations, and industry players.

She said efforts to accelerate the digital economy could face challenges if each stakeholder continues to operate independently.

Coordination, she added, should not only involve associations and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, but also other ministries and agencies involved in developing the digital economy.

“We cannot work alone. The challenges faced in the field need to be addressed collectively. Most importantly, there should no longer be sectoral egos or siloed approaches,” Elly said.

AI Drives Change in the Device Industry

The development of AI is also creating new challenges for the digital device industry.

Mark Jefferson Go, Chief Strategy, Research and Development; Enterprise and Education Director at Erajaya Digital, said growing AI demand is accelerating the need for more advanced chipsets.

The smartphone industry is now competing with various other sectors that also require high-performance chipsets to support AI development. This situation could put pressure on device prices.

At the same time, manufacturers and distributors need to collaborate with technology principals, financing companies, telecommunications operators, and over-the-top (OTT) service providers to maintain public access to digital devices.

Smartphones Evolve Into AI Ecosystems

Similar changes are taking place in the smartphone industry.

Motorola Indonesia Country General Manager Bagus Prasetyo explained the development of a Hybrid AI concept that combines on-device AI processing with cloud-based AI.

Motorola is also developing an Inter Connected AI concept, enabling AI ecosystems to operate across multiple devices.

This approach indicates that future competition in the device industry will extend beyond specifications such as RAM, cameras, chipsets, and battery capacity. Integration between smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and computers is increasingly becoming part of the development of AI-powered technology ecosystems.

Palm Oil Digitalization Supports Traceability and Productivity

Digital transformation is also becoming increasingly relevant to Indonesia’s palm oil industry.

Mochamad Husni, an official in charge of communications at the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI), said the palm oil industry still relies on manual processes in several areas, including plantation recordkeeping, fresh fruit bunch (FFB) logistics management, and sustainability reporting.

Meanwhile, global markets are placing greater emphasis on traceability. The industry needs the ability to identify and document product origins, including down to the plantation level.

Traceability is becoming increasingly important as markets demand greater information about the origin of raw materials and production processes.

In this context, technologies such as AI, drones, satellite imagery, IoT, and data analytics can be utilized to improve plantation efficiency and management accuracy.

AI, for example, can support fruit production forecasting, while drones and satellite imagery can be used for plantation mapping and monitoring.

Digitalization also creates opportunities for various supporting services in plantation areas, including connectivity, IoT, cloud computing, digital financial services, logistics, and marketplaces.

Digital Infrastructure Needs to Reach Plantations

The digitalization of the palm oil sector ultimately depends on more than software and AI.

Connectivity is a fundamental requirement for effective technology adoption across plantations, which often cover large and geographically dispersed areas.

Therefore, collaboration among palm oil businesses, telecommunications operators, technology providers, the government, and digital service providers is important to develop an ecosystem aligned with industry needs.

Technology adoption should also be focused on real-world requirements so that digitalization goes beyond technology implementation and delivers improvements in productivity, operational efficiency, and data quality.

Collaboration at the Core of Digital Transformation

The discussions at DTF 2026 demonstrate that Indonesia’s digital transformation involves stakeholders across multiple sectors.

The government requires technological support and industry investment to improve public services. Telecommunications operators need regulations and business models that support sustainable investment. The device industry requires a supporting ecosystem, connectivity, and sufficient consumer purchasing power.

Meanwhile, productive sectors such as palm oil require a combination of connectivity, AI, IoT, satellite imagery, drones, and data analytics to improve productivity while meeting traceability and sustainability requirements.

Uday Rayana, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Selular Media Network, said the success of digital transformation will ultimately depend on more than the adoption of new technologies.

“The real challenge is ensuring that digitalization can strengthen industrial competitiveness, expand the benefits of technology, and become a new engine of Indonesia’s economic growth,” he said.

Indonesia’s next phase of digital transformation will therefore extend beyond technology development. It will also depend on how the government and business community build effective collaboration to ensure that these technologies are applied effectively and generate tangible economic value.

Conclusion

Indonesia’s digital transformation is moving beyond connectivity and technology adoption toward practical applications that improve productivity and competitiveness. As AI, IoT, cloud computing, and data analytics expand across sectors such as telecommunications and palm oil, stronger collaboration among government and industry will be essential to maximize their economic impact. 

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