binghamtondevils.com – Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) has announced a pioneering initiative to deploy an Artificial Intelligence-driven Radio Access Network (AI-RAN) across Indonesia, positioning itself as the first mobile operator in Southeast Asia to implement such technology. This strategic move is in collaboration with industry leaders Nokia and NVIDIA, aiming to enhance network performance, efficiency, and energy consumption.

Strategic Partnerships and Technological Integration

The collaboration involves integrating Nokia’s advanced 5G Cloud RAN solution with NVIDIA’s AI Aerial platform, creating a unified computing infrastructure capable of handling both AI and RAN workloads. This integration is expected to optimize network operations and unlock new revenue streams through AI-powered services.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the companies will jointly develop, test, and deploy the AI-RAN solution. The initial phase focuses on running AI inferencing workloads on NVIDIA’s AI Aerial platform, followed by the integration of RAN workloads.

Educational Collaboration and National AI Strategy Alignment

In addition to technological advancements, IOH, Nokia, and NVIDIA plan to collaborate with leading Indonesian universities and research institutions. This partnership aims to drive AI innovation in telecommunications, providing students and researchers with practical experience in AI-driven networks. Such initiatives align with Indonesia’s national AI strategy Link Alternatif OLYMPUS88, supporting the development of AI applications across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and agriculture.

Phased Deployment and Future Prospects

The AI-RAN deployment will follow a phased approach, beginning with the launch of a 5G AI-RAN lab in Surabaya in early 2025 for joint development, testing, and validation. A small-scale commercial pilot of AI inferencing workloads on NVIDIA’s AI-RAN infrastructure is scheduled for the second half of 2025, with further expansion planned for 2026.

This initiative not only enhances connectivity but also builds a nationwide AI-powered ecosystem that will fuel innovation across industries, aligning seamlessly with IOH’s mission to connect and empower every Indonesian.

By embedding AI into its radio access network, IOH is set to redefine network capabilities and business strategies, setting the foundation for a software-driven 6G upgrade in the future.