Telkomsel Overview
Telkomsel (PT Telekomunikasi Seluler) is Indonesia's largest mobile operator. It is owned by Telkom, the state telecom company, with 65%, and by Singtel with 35%. It has the widest coverage in Indonesia and about 159 million users: about 152 million prepaid and about 7.5 million postpaid.
For IoT, Telkomsel uses Indonesia's population and island geography. The uses named here are smart cities, logistics tracking, and digital agriculture. In Opensignal's 2024 report its 5G network took all six Indonesian 5G experience awards, ahead on download speed and coverage.
Telkomsel facts
- Founded: 1995
- Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
- Shareholders: Telkom 65%, Singtel 35%
- Prepaid users: About 152 million (2023)
- Postpaid users: About 7.5 million (Telkomsel Halo, 2023 increase 5.6%)
- Total users: About 159 million, number one in Indonesia
- 5G sites: Far more than Indosat
- Network: 4G LTE, 5G NR, NB-IoT
Development History and Milestones
Telkomsel was established in 1995 and is one of Indonesia's first GSM mobile operators. In 1997, it launched the prepaid brand Kartu As, which quickly became popular. In 2003, Telkom increased its stake to 65%, and Singtel held 35%, forming the current ownership structure. In the 2000s, Telkomsel continuously expanded its coverage, becoming the only operator in Indonesia that covers all provinces.
In terms of technological evolution: it launched 4G LTE in 2014 and commercial 5G networks in 2021. Telkomsel's number of 5G base stations is significantly ahead of competitors like Indosat. In the Opensignal December 2024 Indonesia Mobile Network Experience Report, Telkomsel ranked first in all six metrics, including 5G download speed (26.3 Mbps) and 5G coverage experience (8.6/10). In 2023, the three major Indonesian operators (Telkomsel, Indosat, XL Axiata) together held 89.6% of the mobile user market share, with Telkomsel maintaining a clear lead.
Core Technical Capabilities
Full coverage across Indonesia
The only operator covering all provinces of Indonesia, including remote islands
5G scores
First in six 5G experience categories, with far more 5G sites than rivals
Singtel ecosystem
Singtel's Asia-Pacific network, used for international IoT roaming
Archipelago logistics
Coverage across an island country, used for sea logistics and fisheries IoT
Network standards and coverage
| Technology | Coverage | Typical use | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4G LTE | Nationwide Indonesia and major islands | Mainstream IoT connectivity | Primary network |
| 5G NR | Major cities, continuously expanding | High-speed IoT, smart cities | Experience Leading |
| NB-IoT | Major Regional Deployment | Smart metering, sensors | Commercial deployment |
Industry Solutions
Smart city
- Jakarta Smart Transportation
- Public Safety Monitoring
- Environmental monitoring
- Smart lighting
Logistics and Shipping
- Archipelago Logistics Tracking
- Port container management
- Cold Chain Monitoring
- Fisheries vessel communication
Agricultural digitalization
- Palm oil plantation monitoring
- Meteorological environment sensing
- Agricultural Product Traceability
- Smart Irrigation
Retail and finance
- POS terminal connection
- Mobile payment networks
- ATM Monitoring
- Chain Store Management
Competitive Advantages
- Market Leadership: Number of users, revenue, and 5G experience all rank first in Indonesia
- Nationwide Coverage: The only one covering all provinces, with extensive experience in archipelago deployment
- 5G Leadership: Six 5G Experience Awards from Opensignal, excellent network quality
- Endorsed by Singtel: Asia-Pacific IoT Hub ecosystem, convenient international roaming
- State-owned background: Telkom holdings, advantages in government project cooperation
Support
Enterprise services
- Dedicated Enterprise Account Manager
- IoT SIM card management
- Dedicated APN Configuration
- International roaming solutions
Technical capabilities
- Connection management platform
- Traffic monitoring and alerts
- API Integration
- eSIM support
Industry solutions
- Smart city projects
- Logistics Tracking Solutions
- Agricultural IoT Consulting
- Compliance and Licensing Support