Under the administration of President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia has reached a critical moment to further strengthen digital transformation as a foundation for national development.
In his address at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in South Korea last November, the President emphasized the importance of adopting advanced technologies—particularly artificial intelligence (AI)—in strategic sectors such as agriculture, as a key pillar in achieving economic and technological sovereignty.
Indonesia has a strong track record in adapting to digital technological change. Over the past two decades, internet penetration has grown rapidly, now reaching approximately 80 percent of the population, the vast majority through mobile services.
This expansion has been accompanied by the widespread digitalization of public services and a significant increase in digital economic activity, reinforcing Indonesia’s position as the largest and fastest growing digital economy in Southeast Asia.
Over the long term, this policy direction aligns closely with Indonesia’s development goals envisioned in Indonesia Emas 2045 (Golden Indonesia 2045). The Government’s objective is for the digital economy to contribute 19 percent of national GDP by 2045, signaling a structural shift toward a more technology-intensive economy.
As stated by the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, last August, this transformation is expected to propel Indonesia into the ranks of advanced economies, with the world’s fifth-largest GDP by 2045.
Resilient Digital Infrastructure is key
There is one critical prerequisite to Indonesia Emas 2045: the resilience of Indonesia’s digital infrastructure. An open, secure and interoperable network will serve as a foundation to enable Indonesia to achieve its goal of advanced technology adoption and a thriving digital economy.
From a cybersecurity perspective, data from the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) indicate that Indonesia suffered approximately 3.64 billion cyberattacks between January and July 2025 alone, the majority involving malware. These attacks threaten public service platforms and Indonesia’s digital economy more broadly.
Secure 5G as a Pillar of Digital Resilience and Prosperity
As Indonesia charts its digital future, connectivity and AI are inextricably linked. The next wave of AI innovation, which President Prabowo is seeking to capitalize on in order to advance Indonesia’s economic and technological sovereignty, will extend far beyond centralized data centers. As the technology evolves, it will place ever greater demands on networks, which only 5G and its successors can meet.
Standalone 5G networks, with high reliability, ultra-low latency and open interfaces, are essential for scaling distributed AI use cases across industry and society. These capabilities will help unlock productivity and foster new services nationwide. In the Indonesian context, such networks can directly support national priorities by increasing productivity in critical sectors such as food and energy.
Realizing this AI-driven transformation will depend on the networks built today, as these will form the intelligent digital foundation upon which tomorrow’s applications run. For this reason, 5G should be recognized as critical national infrastructure, enabled by long term policy frameworks, cross-sector coordination, and world-class security standards.
Nations seeking to become strong digital economies are recognizing that 5G and AI are co-dependent pillars of future growth. Countries are increasingly building robust, secure, and interoperable networks with diverse international partners, within a framework of strong regulation in an era where connectivity is as vital as electricity once was. By creating an open investment environment and designing secure communications networks, Indonesia can avoid single points of failure arising from technical risks, global supply chain disruptions or geopolitical dynamics, becoming even more competitive on a global stage.
GSMA Intelligence estimates that the next wave of 5G investment in Indonesia could add US$41 billion to national GDP between 2024 and 2030. That potential investment should come from a diverse range of vendors and partner countries across the globe. Broadening partnerships—across Europe, East Asia, South Asia. U.S., and beyond—reduces risk and brings complementary technologies and capital that strengthen Indonesia’s economic and digital sovereignty.
A Commitment to Advancing Together
President Prabowo’s commitment to strengthening the resilience of national digital infrastructure, including the planned auction of the 700 MHz and 2.6 GHz spectrum bands for 5G deployment in 2026, is a critical step as Indonesia races to capitalize on AI and cloud computing. As these technologies advance, mobile connectivity has emerged as the foundational layer that enables both.
A global leader in telecommunications, Ericsson has supported Indonesia’s telecommunications ecosystem for some 119 years, and continues to offer world-leading products and services. Today, Ericsson operates in more than 80 countries across five continents, supports 189 live 5G networks, and carries nearly half of the world’s 5G traffic outside China.
Through open, programmable and software-driven 5G networks, Ericsson delivers architectures that enable flexible network management, rapid adaptation to changing demands and precise control over services, while providing access to open technology ecosystems that promote interoperability, security and long-term sustainability.
Such an approach creates the conditions for secure and differentiated connectivity, tailored to the needs of government public services and the acceleration of community-based economic activity. It bridges the digital divide and drives innovation across priority sectors—including energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and smart cities—thereby strengthening Indonesia’s economic and digital sovereignty, while ensuring that digital transformation is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.
Ericsson is proud to support Indonesia’s priorities in 5G development, AI adoption, and the expansion of the digital economy. This commitment aligns closely with Indonesia’s long-term national visions, including Digital Indonesia 2045, Golden Indonesia 2045, and Making Indonesia 4.0. We are also prepared to expand strategic partnerships to support the achievement of digital economy targets outlined in the 2025–2029 National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN).
Globally, countries and regions that lead in 5G implementation today will become centers of economic and technological innovation tomorrow. Just as railways once shaped the geography of industrialization, next-generation mobile networks will redefine the global economic and geopolitical landscape. Ericsson stands ready to support Indonesia as it stands among these global leaders.
Media Publication Credit - https://observerid.com
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