Edge AI & 5G-Advanced: Shaping the Future of Connectivity

The rapid evolution of Edge AI and 5G-Advanced (5.5G) is transforming the global digital ecosystem, including Indonesia.

As AI processing moves closer to the user—on devices or at the network edge—it enables real-time responsiveness, better privacy, and ultra-low latency.

Combined with the capabilities of 5G-Advanced such as massive connectivity, native AI integration, and application-specific slicing, these technologies are becoming the backbone of the next generation of IoT, autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and industry 4.0.

Key Players in Indonesia

• Operators/Telcos: Telkomsel, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, XL Axiata, Smartfren, and MyRepublic are pioneering trials for 5G and edge services.
• Enterprise & Integrators: Telkom (Telkomsigma), Biznet, Lintasarta, and DCI Indonesia, offering cloud, data center, and edge infrastructure integration.
• Local AI & IoT Startups: Nodeflux (vision AI), Dattabot (analytics), Kata.ai (conversational AI), Nusantics (biotech-AI), and several emerging IoT startups supporting smart cities and industrial automation.

Real Collaborations

1. Telkomsel – Ericsson: Hyper 5G trials including ultra-low latency and network slicing for industrial use.
2. Indosat – NVIDIA & Cisco: Building an AI facility with GPU-based data centers and edge orchestration for enterprises and startups.
3. Smartfren – ZTE: Implementing native-AI RAN for network optimization, focusing on energy efficiency and capacity.
4. XL Axiata – Huawei: Joint 5G Advanced trials supporting smart cities and smart campuses.
5. MyRepublic – Microsoft Azure Edge: Pilot project on cloud gaming using MEC for smoother user experiences.
   

Global Players

• Network Vendors: Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, ZTE are investing heavily in intelligent RAN, network slicing, and autonomous orchestration.
• Cloud & Edge Platforms: AWS Wavelength, Microsoft Azure Edge, and Google Cloud Edge bring cloud services closer to users through Mobile Edge Computing, powering real-time applications such as gaming, AR/VR, and industrial solutions.
• Chips & Hardware: NVIDIA (GPU/AI stack), Qualcomm, MediaTek, Intel deliver AI accelerators, 5G processors, and ultra-low-latency chipsets for smart devices.
• Integrators & Infrastructure: Cisco, Mavenir, Supermicro, and HPE provide edge servers and full-stack solutions.
• AI & Software Ecosystem: Google TensorFlow, OpenAI, Graphcore, and Cerebras supply AI frameworks and edge-optimized processors.

These players provide the technological foundation that allows seamless integration of Edge AI with 5G-Advanced, covering hardware, software, orchestration, and cross-industry collaboration.

User Impact

Positive Effects

• Consumers: Smoother gaming, AR/VR without lag, and more secure digital services, along with enhanced digital payments and streaming that feel instantaneous even during peak hours. Consumers also gain from personalized AI-driven recommendations delivered in real time.
• Industries: Smart manufacturing with predictive maintenance and real-time analytics, enabling factories to minimize downtime, improve worker safety, and optimize supply chains through faster machine-to-machine communication. This leads to more agile production lines and lower operational costs.
• Transportation: Autonomous vehicles with minimal latency for safety and efficiency, supporting advanced driver assistance systems, real-time traffic updates, and more reliable communication between vehicles and infrastructure. This reduces congestion and improves overall transport efficiency.
• Smart Cities: IoT sensors for traffic, energy, and public safety powered by real-time edge AI, which can monitor air quality, detect hazards instantly, and dynamically adjust energy grids. Smart lighting, waste management, and emergency response systems also benefit from low-latency intelligence at the edge.

User Testimonials

• Rina (Jakarta, Mobile Gamer): “Playing AAA games via 5G edge feels smoother and lag-free, even during peak hours.”
• Andi (Logistics Manager, Bandung): “Real-time fleet monitoring using 5G edge reduced delays and improved customer satisfaction.”
• Sarah (Startup Founder, Singapore): “Running AI workloads on edge infrastructure lowers costs compared to centralized cloud, while improving responsiveness.”

Pricing Examples
Indonesia

Telkomsel 5G Package: Premium (unlimited gaming/streaming + low-latency edge access) ~IDR 200,000/month; Non-Premium ~IDR 100,000/month.

Indosat Enterprise Edge AI Services: Premium (dedicated AI slicing + GPU edge) ~IDR 50–70 million/year; Non-Premium ~IDR 20–30 million/year.

Global

AWS Wavelength: Premium ~USD 0.20/hour per vCPU with low-latency zones; Non-Premium standard EC2 ~USD 0.10/hour.

Microsoft Azure Edge: Premium IoT edge services ~USD 25/device/month; Non-Premium cloud services ~USD 10/device/month.

Google Cloud Edge TPU: Premium device accelerator ~USD 150 per unit; Non-Premium Edge runtime (software only) free to USD 10/month.

Edge AI and 5G-Advanced are not just buzzwords—they are the technological backbone of the next digital era. In Indonesia and globally, telcos, cloud providers, hardware manufacturers, and startups are building an ecosystem that enables smarter cities, safer transportation, and more immersive digital experiences.

While challenges remain, the opportunities for innovation and transformation are immense, with tangible impacts already visible in daily life and industry.