Jakarta, INTI - Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison participated in the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 event in Barcelona, Spain. At the mobile and technology industry event, Indosat shared about the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in Indonesia.
Indosat's participation at MWC this year not only showcased new technology but also emphasized the company's transformation direction through its AI North Star strategy. This leads Indosat's journey from an AI-Native Telco to an AI TechCo. It also contributes to establishing Indonesia as part of the global innovation ecosystem.
Indosat explained the innovation development of AI-RAN (Artificial Intelligence Radio Access Network). This technology integrates AI directly into the radio network, enabling the network not only to transmit data but also to understand, predict, and optimize its operations in real time.
From Barcelona to Surabaya
In a demonstration done during the MWC, the technology’s capability was shown with a simple and illustrative experiment. From Barcelona, a command was sent over an AI-powered 5G network to Surabaya, Indonesia, to control a robot dog thousands of kilometers away.
In Surabaya, the robot dog was able to receive the command with little to no delay in moving, monitoring a situation, and running remote surveillance functions. The experiment demonstrated how intelligent networks can provide far more responsive and adaptive connectivity than conventional networks.
For Indosat, this demonstration was more than just a technology showcase. It was also a glimpse into how the network of the future will work.
"This achievement not only proves that this technology works, but also ensures that every Indonesian, wherever they are, can experience the benefits of digitalization and AI," said Vikram Sinha, President Director and CEO of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison.
This statement illustrated the broader vision behind Indosat's technological transformation. The company views AI as not just about improving network performance, but also about opening access to broader digital opportunities for society.
Through AI-RAN, intelligence no longer resides solely in data centers or the cloud, but becomes part of the network itself. This system enables networks to automatically optimize frequency spectrum usage, reduce latency, and increase energy efficiency.
This development marks an evolution in the telecommunications industry. Previously, networks functioned solely as data distribution channels, but they are now beginning to act as intelligence distribution platforms.
This technology also opens up new opportunities. In the agricultural sector, responsive networks enable the use of smart farming devices that can be monitored in real time. In healthcare, medical personnel can utilize AI-based diagnostic systems that require low-latency connectivity. Meanwhile, in the education sector, distance learning can become more personalized and interactive, even in areas far from urban cities.
Global Collaboration Resulted in Innovative Technology
AI-RAN development is carried out through global collaboration. In its implementation, Indosat collaborated with technology companies such as NVIDIA and Nokia to integrate 5G networks, accelerated computing, and AI.
Moreover, this innovation also involved Indonesian local talent. In Surabaya, Indosat and its technology partners established an AI-RAN Research Center to strengthen the capabilities of Indonesian engineers through research and development of AI-based networks. The development of the robot dog used in the demonstration also involved students from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS).
The development reflected that Indosat is not only focused on technology adoption, but also on building a domestic innovation ecosystem. Going forward, the company plans to develop several AI-RAN clusters in various regions of Indonesia as the initial stage for broader smart grid implementation.
This step also aligns with Indosat's ambition to contribute to the development of Sovereign AI, an AI ecosystem designed to meet national needs, supported by global collaboration, and deliver real impact to society.
The innovation showcased in Barcelona symbolized Indonesia's growing role on the global innovation map. For Indosat, the direction of this transformation remains steadfast.
"Our commitment is simple: no one should be left behind," said Vikram.
Conclusion
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison's participation in Mobile World Congress 2026 highlighted the company's transformation toward AI TechCo through its AI North Star strategy. Through the development of AI-RAN technology and collaboration with global partners and local talent, Indosat demonstrated how AI can be integrated directly into the network to deliver smarter, more responsive, and more efficient connectivity. This innovation also served as part of efforts to strengthen the national AI ecosystem and ensure the benefits of digitalization are felt equally by the Indonesian people.
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