Jakarta, INTI - Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison once again demonstrated the reliability of its network during the 2026 Eid holiday season, following its previous achievement of a Museum Rekor-Dunia Indonesia (MURI) record for an uninterrupted 11-hour TikTok livestream along the Jakarta–Yogyakarta homecoming route. The company recorded a data traffic surge of more than 20% compared to last year’s period, in line with projections from the Ministry of Communication and Digital, which estimated a national traffic increase of up to 40% during Ramadan and Eid 2026.
The highest traffic spikes were recorded on routes from Jakarta to West Java, which rose by over 22%, and to Central Java, which surged by more than 37%. Increased public mobility during the homecoming period significantly drove demand for digital connectivity. At the same time, Indosat managed to reduce network downtime by up to 20%, indicating improved service quality during the festive season.
AI-Driven Network Ensures Stability During Eid Traffic Surge
Despite the surge, Indosat’s network remained stable thanks to AI-driven optimization. As part of its transformation into an AI-TechCo, the company deployed intelligent network systems across 77 homecoming routes, covering 36 toll roads, 31 non-toll routes, and 10 railway lines, spanning approximately 8,121 kilometers and reaching 797 strategic points. Network monitoring was conducted շուրջ the clock by more than 2,500 technicians stationed across 46 branch offices and 16 command posts nationwide.
Director and Chief Technology Officer, Desmond Cheung, stated that the Eid homecoming and return periods serve as a true test of the company’s network resilience. He emphasized that customer trust remains the key driver for continuously improving service quality.
“The Eid homecoming and return periods are the ultimate test of our network resilience. We are grateful for the trust of millions of customers who rely on Indosat’s network during this critical travel season,” he said.
Internal data shows that during the 2026 Eid travel season, the most frequently accessed services were instant messaging, social media, and video streaming. Platforms such as WhatsApp, YouTube, and TikTok contributed the most to traffic spikes.
Indosat also implemented a proactive approach by leveraging AI technology to monitor traffic in real time, predict congestion, and automatically optimize network capacity. This system enables the company to detect traffic surges more than 60% faster, allowing adjustments before users experience disruptions. While 4G remains the backbone of services, 5G is deployed to handle peak demand in critical locations such as major routes, rest areas, stations, and tourist destinations.
Infrastructure Expansion and Regional Traffic Growth
These efforts were reinforced by infrastructure investments, including capacity upgrades at over 7,000 sites, the addition of more than 1,600 new sites since April 2025, and the deployment of over 75 Mobile BTS units along key travel routes. Overall, Indosat now operates around 55,000 active sites across more than 420 cities and regencies in Indonesia.
Desmond added that the achievement is not merely about numbers, but about maintaining customer trust during crucial moments like Eid. He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to continuously strengthening its network as part of its AI-TechCo transformation.
Meanwhile, in the Kalisumapa region (Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua), traffic growth was also significant. Hulu Sungai Tengah in South Kalimantan recorded the highest increase at 54%, followed by Sambas in West Kalimantan at 48%, and Jeneponto in South Sulawesi at 44%, reflecting strong digital activity during the festive period.
To further enhance customer experience, Indosat also set up “Posko Mudik” (homecoming posts) at several strategic locations in the Kalisumapa region from March 17–26, 2026. In South Sulawesi, these posts were established in Pangkep and Jeneponto, providing rest areas for travelers as well as digital safety education through IM3 SATSPAM and Tri AI Anti-Spam & Anti-Scam features.
Conclusion
The success of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison in managing the 2026 Eid traffic surge highlights the critical role of AI in modern telecommunications. By combining intelligent network optimization with continuous infrastructure investment, the company not only ensures service reliability during peak periods but also strengthens its long-term position as an AI-driven digital operator. This achievement underscores how advanced technology can effectively support increasing connectivity demands in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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