Indonesian telco Telkomsel and ZTE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona on Tuesday to collaborate on AI-based technologies, 5G-LAN, and ultra-compact solutions for private industrial networks.
The MoU expands on a previous deal between both companies in November 2024 to implement an AI-powered network solution in Telkomsel's 4G network. Under the new agreement, Telkomsel and ZTE will work together to introduce what they claim will be the industry's first native AI baseband solution, which includes AI-based operations & maintenance (O&M) capabilities for more intelligent network management.
ZTE said the native AI baseband solution will enable better energy efficiency and ensure user-level service quality assurance.
Telkomsel and ZTE will also collaborate on modernising 5G-LAN and FTTR-B (fibre to the room business) solutions to deliver faster, more stable, and more flexible enterprise connectivity.
Telkomsel and ZTE also plan to launch an ultra-compact private network solution to encourage adoption of private broadband networks for industrial customers in Indonesia. The solution comes with ZTE’s NodeEngine card, which it says will minimize additional infrastructure requirements.
Telkomsel CTO Indra Mardiatna said the telco’s collaboration with ZTE would help it to accelerate industrial transformation across various sectors.
“This strategic collaboration with ZTE enables us to integrate AI-driven solutions and cutting-edge network technologies to offer smarter and more adaptive connectivity, meeting the evolving needs of both individuals and enterprises in Indonesia,” he said in a statement.
