Nokia and Surge to expand 5G broadband in Indonesia

Nokia and Surge to expand 5G broadband in Indonesia is profiled by BTW Media because published evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

• Deployment begins in December 2025 in Java, Papua and Maluku.
• Network will use Nokia’s energy-efficient AirScale RAN and a bespoke CPE solution.

What happened: Surge and Nokia to launch nationwide 5G FWA network

Nokia has partnered with PT Solusi Sinergi Digital (Surge) to build a large-scale 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) network across Indonesia, including in Java, Papua, and Maluku provinces. The deployment is due to start in December 2025.

The network will use the n50 spectrum band to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband, especially in locations where fibre connectivity is limited. To support the roll-out, Nokia is leveraging its existing FTTx, IP and optical infrastructure for backhaul and transport.

Nokia is supplying its AirScale Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment — including AirScale Baseband, remote radio heads (RRHs), and zero-footprint site solutions — all powered by its ReefShark System-on-Chip technology for energy efficiency and strong performance.

On the customer premises, Surge will deploy a custom-designed CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) tailored for 5G FWA, optimised for areas with weak or no fibre. Additionally, Nokia will provide its MantaRay NM network-management system to enable consolidated network monitoring, maintenance and AI-assisted performance and safety improvements.

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Why it’s important

This partnership aligns closely with the Indonesian government’s Affordable Broadband initiative, seeking to bridge the digital divide by delivering reliable, high-speed internet to underserved or remote communities.

By using 5G FWA rather than relying solely on fibre, Surge can extend broadband coverage more flexibly and cost‑effectively — a key win in a geographically fragmented archipelago like Indonesia. Nokia’s energy‑efficient technology further helps reduce operational costs, making the service more sustainable and affordable at scale.

Moreover, this move builds on Surge’s wider infrastructure push: in July 2025, Nokia also helped Surge power a subsea optical network connecting Indonesia to Singapore, aiming to reach up to 40 million people with affordable broadband.

Together, these efforts could significantly accelerate digital inclusion in Indonesia, supporting education, economic opportunity and connectivity for millions.