BARCELONA | INDATANEWS.COM ~ Indonesian telecommunications provider Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) has unveiled Southeast Asia's first AI-powered 5G call in collaboration with Nokia and NVIDIA.
The breakthrough was showcased during a live demonstration at the
Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, marking a significant milestone in Indonesia's push toward inclusive digital transformation.
The presentation demonstrated how voice commands transmitted across thousands of kilometers can trigger real-time actions in Indonesia through an AI-integrated 5G network. For Indosat, the innovation represents more than a technological achievement—it underscores a strategic commitment to ensuring that digital progress benefits all Indonesians, regardless of location.
Read Also: IM3 Awards BYD M6 Grand Prize to Lucky Winner in Medan President Director and CEO Vikram Sinha stated that the milestone proves not only the technology's viability but also its potential to bridge digital divides. "Our commitment is simple: no one should be left behind," he emphasized.
TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION: A partnership between Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Nokia and NVIDIA has introduced Southeast Asia's first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered 5G call. (PHOTO: Doc. Indosat IOH)
AI Embedded Directly Into Network Infrastructure
Read Also: Sahabat-AI Launched: Indonesia’s Leap Toward Digital Sovereignty At the heart of the breakthrough is the integration of Artificial Intelligence into network infrastructure using AI-RAN (Artificial Intelligence Radio Access Network) technology. By embedding AI directly within the radio access network, processes become faster, smarter, and more responsive.
During the Barcelona demonstration, AI and network intelligence operated simultaneously, securely transmitting voice, data, and video across borders in real time. Indosat aims to deploy this capability not only in major cities but also in remote and underserved regions across Indonesia.
The potential applications are extensive. Farmers could gain access to intelligent agriculture systems, healthcare professionals may utilize AI-assisted diagnostics, and educators can develop personalized learning models for students nationwide.
Global Collaboration, Local Impact
According to Pallavi Mahajan, Chief Technology and AI Officer at
Nokia, the region's first
AI-powered 5G call highlights what is possible when global technology leaders collaborate to advance intelligent connectivity. The partnership between
Indosat,
Nokia, and
NVIDIA is redefining how modern networks operate while accelerating Indonesia's digital ambitions.
Ronnie Vasishta, Senior Vice President at NVIDIA, described AI-RAN as a platform capable of distributing AI innovation broadly across society and industry. By combining Nokia's 5G software with NVIDIA's accelerated computing capabilities, the companies are building a next-generation network model designed to strengthen Indonesia's national ecosystem, stimulate economic growth, and nurture local talent.
Indosat is leveraging its dual role as a telecom operator, data center provider, and GPU-as-a-Service provider to integrate network, cloud, and AI into a unified platform. The strategy aims to enhance long-term sustainability and resilience within Indonesia's digital infrastructure.
AI-POWERED 5G INTELLIGENCE: Voice commands transmitted from thousands of kilometers away can instantly trigger real-world actions in Indonesia through an AI-enabled 5G network. (PHOTO: Doc. Indosat IOH)
Preparing for Commercial Deployment in Indonesia
As a next step,
Indosat plans to roll out four AI-RAN clusters across different regions of Indonesia, marking the transition from pilot testing to commercial implementation. The initiative is expected to enhance network intelligence, improve service quality, and accelerate the nationwide growth of AI-based applications.
In addition, the company is partnering with Nokia and NVIDIA to establish an AI-RAN Research Center in Surabaya. The facility will provide advanced training for Indonesian engineers through global innovation labs, positioning local talent at the forefront of the country's AI development.
By showcasing the innovation at
Mobile World Congress 2026,
Indosat reinforces its ambition to position Indonesia not merely as a consumer of AI technology but as an active creator and regional leader in artificial intelligence—advancing toward a more inclusive and digitally sovereign future.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Sri Endang Lasmiaty | Darmailawati