ZTE, ASR support SURGE’s 5G fixed wireless broadband rollout in Indonesia

By Romel S. Gurky

Indonesian digital infrastructure firm PT Solusi Sinergi Digital Tbk (WIFI), also known as SURGE, is deploying a 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) broadband network using technology from China’s ZTE Corporation and ASR Microelectronics, the companies said.

The rollout supports commercialization of broadband services using the 1.4 GHz spectrum band and is aimed at expanding internet access for households and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia.

SURGE said ZTE is providing an end-to-end FWA solution including radio access network infrastructure, customer premises equipment (CPE) and technical implementation services for the network.

The CPE devices deployed in the network are powered by ASR Microelectronics’ ASR1901 5G platform, which supports both standalone (SA) and non-standalone network architectures and complies with the 3GPP Release 16 standard.

The collaboration was highlighted during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2026, where SURGE and its partners discussed plans to expand Indonesia’s fixed broadband connectivity using 5G FWA technology.

Read also : SURGE, FiberHome partner on 5G fixed wireless broadband solution

The broadband service is marketed under the IRA – Internet Rakyat brand, which was commercially launched on Feb. 19, offering speeds of up to 100 megabits per second for Rp100,000 (about $6) per month with unlimited data and free modem rental.

The rollout follows Indonesia’s 2025 Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) frequency auction conducted by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, in which PT Telemedia Komunikasi Pratama, a SURGE subsidiary, secured the 1.4 GHz spectrum for Region 1 covering Java, Maluku and Papua.

The region accounts for more than 60% of Indonesia’s population and represents the country’s largest digital market.

SURGE said the network integrates wireless access technology with its existing fiber optic backbone running along railway corridors across Java, allowing the company to lower per-subscriber investment costs and accelerate network deployment.

The companies said the mid-band 1.4 GHz spectrum offers a balance between coverage and capacity, allowing wider service reach and improved indoor signal penetration compared with higher-frequency bands.

SURGE said more than 1.1 million users had pre-registered for the IRA service since registration opened in November 2025.

The companies said they plan to continue expanding the partnership through further network development, ecosystem collaboration and wider service coverage as Indonesia advances its digital infrastructure.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak