Ezyplugion.com – AI in the Network: At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, Indosat showcased artificial intelligence (AI)-based 5G calls. Through the AI-RAN (Artificial Intelligence Radio Access Network) concept, Indosat integrated AI capabilities directly into the network.
In Indonesia, this AI RAN capability was implemented in a demonstration of a robot dog in Surabaya that could be commanded directly by a person in Barcelona seamlessly with virtually no delays. For some, this might have been just another technology demonstration. However, for Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, the moment was a glimpse of Indonesia’s digital future. This trial marked a significant milestone in the development of an AI-powered network that is not only fast, but also adaptive and responsive.
During the demonstration, AI and network intelligence worked side by side. Instructions, data, and even video were sent instantly across borders with a secure system. This technology demonstrated one thing: AI is no longer just an add-on feature; it is embedded directly in the network infrastructure.
Indosat’s President Director and CEO, Vikram Sinha, emphasized that this achievement is not merely a technical demonstration, but part of proving that everyone can benefit from AI.
“This achievement not only proves that this technology works, but also ensures that every Indonesian, wherever they are, can experience the benefits of digitalization and AI. Our commitment is simple: no one should be left behind,” he said.
Thanks to the AI-RAN concept, Indosat’s network has a system capable of minimizing latency, increasing energy efficiency, and optimizing frequency spectrum utilization. It’s not just about download or upload speeds; with AI embedded in the network, the impact is designed to touch everyday life.
Farmers, for example, can access smart agricultural devices in real time. Healthcare workers utilize AI-based diagnostics to assist with medical analysis. Teachers can personalize learning to suit students’ needs, even in remote areas far from data centers. This is similar to how the latest smartphone innovations are transforming daily life across industries.
AI-RAN (Artificial Intelligence Radio Access Network) at the Indosat AI Research Center in Surabaya. Photo: Habib Allbi Ferdian/kumparan
Indosat’s Chief Technology and AI Officer, Pallavi Mahajan, called this collaboration a form of reshaping how networks operate.
“This first AI-based 5G call in Southeast Asia demonstrates what’s possible when leading innovators focus on delivering increasingly intelligent connectivity. IOH, NVIDIA, and Nokia are reshaping how networks operate while accelerating Indonesia’s digital ambitions,” she said.
From a technology partner perspective, NVIDIA Senior Vice President Ronnie Vasishta described AI-RAN as a distributed intelligence platform.
“Indosat’s vision to drive local innovation, supported by Nokia’s 5G software and NVIDIA’s accelerated computing, is shaping the network development blueprint to strengthen the national ecosystem, drive economic growth, and develop local talent,” said Ronnie.
This initiative doesn’t stop at the MWC stage. Indosat plans to deploy four AI-RAN clusters across Indonesia as a transitional stage toward real-world implementation. Strengthening network intelligence is expected to improve service quality and encourage the growth of AI-based applications domestically. The global semiconductor market, including rising memory prices, also plays a role in shaping network infrastructure costs.
Concurrently, Indosat is also establishing an AI-RAN Research Center in Surabaya with Nokia and NVIDIA. This research center focuses on strengthening the capabilities of local engineers through immersive learning programs in a global innovation lab.
Indosat’s role as a telecommunications operator, data center manager, and GPU-as-a-Service provider enables the integration of network, cloud, and AI into a single platform. This integrated approach is considered to accelerate the development of digital services while maintaining long-term sustainability and resilience.
AI in the Network: AI-RAN Implementation
At the AI-RAN Research Center in Surabaya, Indosat showcased its AI-based 5G technology with a demo of a robodog (robot dog) that can be commanded directly by people in Barcelona. Robodog is designed as a guard dog that can monitor the situation in a room when the occupant is away. The robot is equipped with a camera so its owner can directly monitor the situation via their smartphone.
Through a fast and intelligent network, the robot dog is able to receive commands from thousands of kilometers away with virtually no delay, such as being asked to check and receive packages, assess the home for danger, and even search for lost items. Interestingly, in developing the robodog’s intelligence, Indosat collaborated with students from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITS).
“The future is no longer about network speed, but intelligence, and this is where AI-RAN comes into play. This means Indosat will create a network that is not only fast like those offered by many telcos, but also provides added value by providing an intelligent network,” said Irwan Radius, VP Head of Technology Strategy Partnership Management at Indosat.
With Indonesia’s vast geography and diverse population, inclusive innovation is key. Embedding AI directly in the network opens up opportunities for developing smart city services, digital public services, and even supporting a technology-based economy—both in urban and remote areas. AI in the Network is Indosat’s core vision for transforming Indonesia’s digital future.
Through AI-RAN and distributed AI infrastructure, Indosat aims to strengthen an inclusive, resilient, and sovereign national AI ecosystem. This vision is not only about device connectivity, but also about opportunity connectivity.
The achievements in Barcelona symbolize that Indonesia is no longer just a technology market, but also part of the global innovation landscape. And for Indosat, the ambition is clear: to ensure that Indonesians are not just users of AI, but also shapers and leaders of its future.
