How Indosat Is Scaling AI-RAN Across Its Network

Why It Matters

AI‑RAN promises substantial cost savings and performance gains for telecom operators, accelerating the path to AI‑native 5G and future 6G services. Indosat's real‑world rollout offers a replicable blueprint for the industry worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• Indosat launched AI‑RAN across urban and rural sites
• First AI‑driven 5G call demonstrated in Southeast Asia
• Shared GPU clusters cut hardware costs, improve latency
• Surabaya training hub partners universities for AI‑RAN use cases
• Consortium with Nokia, NVIDIA, SoftBank accelerates deployment

Pulse Analysis

The telecom sector is rapidly embracing artificial intelligence to squeeze more efficiency from ever‑expanding 5G networks. AI‑RAN, which embeds machine‑learning workloads directly into the radio‑access layer, allows operators to dynamically allocate resources, predict traffic spikes, and reduce energy consumption. By leveraging shared GPU clusters, Indosat sidesteps the traditional capital‑intensive model of dedicated hardware, positioning itself at the forefront of a shift toward software‑defined, AI‑native infrastructure.

Indosat’s deployment strategy hinges on a hybrid approach that blends cutting‑edge compute with local talent development. The Surabaya facility not only hosts the high‑performance GPUs needed for real‑time inference but also serves as an incubator where university students co‑create applications for sectors such as tele‑medicine and precision agriculture. This hands‑on model accelerates skill acquisition, mitigates the expertise gap, and ensures that AI‑RAN solutions address concrete market needs rather than abstract performance metrics.

Beyond the technical gains, the collaborative consortium featuring Nokia, NVIDIA, SoftBank and T‑Mobile illustrates a new ecosystem where cost and risk are distributed across multiple stakeholders. Such partnerships enable faster standardization, shared R&D expenses, and a unified roadmap toward AI‑native 6G networks. For operators worldwide, Indosat’s experience signals that scaling AI‑RAN is no longer a speculative venture but a viable pathway to higher margins, new revenue streams, and enhanced customer experiences.