Jakarta, INTI - The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a shift in the direction of telecommunications infrastructure development in Indonesia. Addressing this need, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemkomdigi) is accelerating the 5G network roadmap, aiming for near national service coverage by 2029.
Kemkomdigi Secretary General, Ismail, stated that connectivity now plays a far more strategic role in communication, productivity, innovation, and enhancing national competitiveness amid the growth of AI-driven economy.
"We must accelerate the 5G roadmap. We hope that by 2029, 5G coverage in Indonesia will expand to reach even the most remote corners of the country. This is crucial because the world is moving toward an AI-based economy, so digital infrastructure must be capable of keeping pace with these demands," said Ismail during the Digital Transformation Indonesia Conference and Expo (DTI-CX) 2026 in Jakarta on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
He believes Indonesia possesses a strong foundation to support this transformation. The national fiber-optic network spans over one million kilometers, including undersea cables connecting various islands. The next phase of development focuses on enhancing network capacity, quality, and resilience to support next-generation digital services.
New Digital Infrastructure Demands for AI Era
Ismail explained that AI advancements are also reshaping the needs of the telecommunications industry. While operators previously focused on providing bandwidth capacity, infrastructure must now support AI cloud services, high-performance computing, Internet of Things (IoT), and various digital applications that boost productivity for the public and the business sector.
To accelerate the implementation of the 5G roadmap, the government is preparing various policies expected to enhance investment certainty for telecommunications operators. One such measure involves making 700 MHz and 2.6 GHz frequency spectrums that are more affordable, ensuring that network rollout acceleration is not hindered.
Furthermore, the government is preparing regulations that provide certainty for long-term investment. According to Ismail, regulatory certainty is a crucial element enabling industry players to continue expanding their networks while developing more innovative digital services.
He also encourages telecommunications operators to develop business model transformation. Digital infrastructure should provide connectivity and deliver solutions for various strategic sectors, such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and finance.
"We want operators to go beyond simply providing networks. They should also deliver solutions that create added value across various economic sectors," he said.
Conclusion
Kemkomdigi is accelerating its 5G network roadmap, aiming for near-nationwide service coverage by 2029 to support the growth of an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven economy. Kemkomdigi Secretary General Ismail stated that connectivity has become the foundation for productivity, innovation, and competitiveness. He emphasized that telecommunications infrastructure must be capable of supporting AI cloud services, high-performance computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and various digital applications that boost productivity across both society and industry.
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