ZTE, XLSMART launch Jakarta innovation centre to advance 5G and AI
Tuesday, April 28 2026 - 04:39 PM WIB
By Rara Suratmi
China’s ZTE Corporation and Indonesian telecom operator XLSMART have launched a joint innovation centre in Jakarta to accelerate the development of 5G-Advanced and artificial intelligence technologies in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
The facility, located at ZTE’s office in South Jakarta, will serve as a testbed for real-world applications and business models using next-generation connectivity, the companies said in a statement.
The initiative comes as Indonesia seeks to strengthen its digital infrastructure and expand adoption of advanced technologies to support economic growth and improve connectivity.
The centre will focus on areas such as AI-driven network optimisation, 5G-Advanced capabilities, energy-efficient infrastructure and future telecom technologies, with participation from industry players, academia and other partners.
“The Innovation Center is a strategic step in our journey as an enabler of the digital ecosystem,” said Shurish Subbramaniam, director and chief technology officer of XLSMART. “We aim to accelerate the adoption of 5G-Advanced and AI to unlock new growth opportunities.”
Read also : XLSMART, ZTE launch Indonesia’s first nationwide 5G blanket coverage network
ZTE said the partnership would combine its global technology expertise with local market knowledge to support Indonesia’s digital transformation.
“As Indonesia plays a pivotal role in ASEAN’s digital transformation, the launch … marks a new milestone in our long-term partnership,” said James Zhang, Senior Vice President of ZTE
The launch was attended by government and industry representatives, including Indonesia’s vice minister of communications and digital affairs Nezar Patria and China’s ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong.
ZTE and XLSMART said the centre is expected to become a regional hub for telecommunications innovation and will support Indonesia’s broader push to build a more competitive and inclusive digital economy.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak