5G Ecosystems Spur Indonesia Digital Vision at Solo 5G Summit 2023
[Surakarta, Indonesia, November 8, 2023] Stakeholders in 5G ecosystems have gathered to hold an industry summit, the 5G Ecosystems Acceleration for Indonesia Digital Vision 2030 & 2045. Held at Indonesia’s first 5G park, the Solo Techno Park, the summit was part of a 5G live network and 5G live use case, the first and most integrated collaboration among operators, vendors supported by the government, industry associations, and academics in Indonesia.
The summit featured insights on current business trends, challenges, and opportunities to explore 5G use cases applicable to 5G to consumer, 5G to home and 5G to business in Indonesia. The discussion also covered key topics such as spectrum road map, milestone requirement and license price mechanism alignment based on business, ecosystems and global benchmarks – aiming to increase and accelerate ICT Industry benefits for Indonesia’s digital transformation. The event also highlighted requirements of 5G infrastructure to support 5G uses cases based on categories, importance and business targets, including fiber connectivity as a fundamental requirement for delivering an optimal 5G user experience.
Present to announce a joint consensus on 5G were Budi Arie Setiadi, Minister of Communication and Informatics; Erick Thohir, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises; Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Ministry of Industry; Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Health; Herlan Wijanarko, Director of Network & IT Solutions at PT Telkom Indonesia Tbk; Sarwoto Atmosutarno, Chairman of Indonesia Telematics Society (Mastel); Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Surakarta City Mayor; Adiwinahyu Basuki Sigit, Director of Sales at Telkomsel; Peng Song, president of ICT Strategy & Marketing at Huawei; and many representatives from vendors, operators, and academia.
In his keynote remarks, Budi Arie Setiadi, Minister of Communication and Informatics said Indonesia aims to become one of the world’s top give global economies by 2045. He said ICT Infrastructure would be one of the main pillars of the Indonesia Digital Vision mid- and long-term plans.
“To achieve that vision regarding the 5G infrastructure in Indonesia, we focus on ensuring both equitable coverage and quality high-speed internet connectivity across Indonesia. The joint initiative we make today, which brings together all stakeholders in the 5G ecosystems, is crucial to stimulate more extensive multi-sector collaboration in accelerating digital transformation and help spur digital economy growth,” Budi said.
According to Sarwoto Atmosutarno, chairman of Indonesia Telematics Society (Mastel), the spectrum allocation planning to support 5G and full-fiber infrastructure to accelerate 5G ecosystems development should be redefined in sync with demand forecast and industry requirements so that it can become a revenue generator for industries and social welfare.
“Global benchmarks and use cases are also important to adopt in Indonesia based on strategic target requirements and objectives,” Sarwoto said. He added that 5G use cases to monetize the ICT infrastructure and enhance business growth should align with the national ICT strategic objectives for accelerating digital transformation.
Peng Song speaking at the summit
Peng Song, Huawei's Corporate Senior Vice President and President of ICT Strategy & Marketing, spoke about the latest 5G developments worldwide related to network deployment, user development, ecosystem construction, digital experiences, industry applications, and business value. He said that Indonesia's own success in 4G and the achievements of the global carriers that pioneered 5G have laid a solid foundation for 5G development in Indonesia. He recommended that Indonesia accelerate its 5G rollout so that it can reap the huge benefits brought by 5G as soon as possible.
Over the past 40 years, technological breakthroughs have repeatedly bolstered recovery efforts during global economic downswings. In recent years, many countries have used ICT infrastructure investment to stimulate economic growth. Peng said, "In the physical world, the recently launched Whoosh high-speed railway is helping drive economic restructuring and GDP growth in Indonesia. In the digital world, 5G is playing a similar role. In addition to enabling profound improvements in digital experiences for consumers, 5G and other digital technologies like cloud computing and IoT are being further integrated into the real economy to create greater economic value. Investment in high-speed railways generates both financial returns and additional value. Similarly, investment in 5G will both bring greater returns and create greater value for a new round of economic growth in Indonesia."
Analysts have forecast that Indonesia might see business investment increase by IDR 591 trillion and IDR 719 trillion in 2030 and 2035, respectively, should the 5G and full-fiber connectivity networks be fully implemented.
Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Surakarta City and Telkomsel, Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka said he hoped the new 5G internet would help the city become a 5G reference for other cities in Indonesia.
Telkomsel Sales Director Adiniwahyu Basuki Sigit added: “As a digital telecommunications company that is the first 5G network and service provider in Indonesia, Telkomsel is committed to playing a leading role in developing and strengthening the 5G service ecosystem in Indonesia to achieve the Digital Indonesia Vision 2030 and 2045. We will promote the utilization of all the advantages of our infrastructure assets, latest technology and digital talent to continue to open up more opportunities for collaboration with the government, telecom industry stakeholders, academia, and the community. With the Spirit of Indonesia, we are determined to continue to deliver innovative 5G service breakthroughs through synergies built with Mastel and all stakeholders to accelerate a more inclusive and sustainable digital future for all Indonesians.”
During the summit, Huawei spotlighted several 5G use cases: 5G Giga Experience, to show 5G internet speed in Gigabits per second; 5G Smart Broadcast, to show live broadcasts over a 5G Network; 5G VR/AR in Smart Solo, to show 5G2B smart tourism in Solo; and 5G FWA to Smart Home, to show Smart Home.
