Telkomsel has partnered with Perplexity, an AI-driven answer engine, to launch the first connectivity and AI bundle in Indonesia.

The bundle includes Telkomsel’s high-speed internet and Perplexity Pro services, aimed at increasing access to AI tools across the country.

Perplexity Pro offers real-time AI-powered answers, advanced research features, and content organization tools.

The bundle is available for both enterprise and retail customers. Business users can choose prepaid or postpaid plans with Perplexity Pro access, while retail consumers get packages for enhanced digital experiences.

Some smartphone purchases will also come with one year of Perplexity Pro.

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🔗 Source: Telkomsel

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Indonesia leads Southeast Asia in AI adoption despite infrastructure challenges

Telkomsel’s partnership with Perplexity builds on Indonesia’s strong position in regional AI adoption, where the country has consistently outpaced its neighbors.

A 2018 IDC survey found Indonesia had the highest AI adoption rate in Southeast Asia at 24.6%, surpassing Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia despite their more developed digital infrastructure 1.

This trend continued with Appier’s regional survey showing 65% of Indonesian businesses either using or expanding AI technologies, ahead of China (63%) and India (62%) 2.

The partnership addresses a key barrier to wider AI integration: infrastructure limitations that have been identified as significant obstacles to AI deployment across various sectors 3.

By bundling connectivity with AI services, Telkomsel is tackling a fundamental challenge that has limited more widespread adoption despite Indonesia’s openness to AI technologies.

2️⃣ Telecom providers emerging as critical enablers in AI democratization

The Telkomsel-Perplexity bundle represents a growing recognition that telecommunications infrastructure is the foundation for effective AI deployment in developing economies.

This partnership directly addresses challenges identified in research showing that uneven access to digital infrastructure remains a primary barrier to widespread AI implementation across Southeast Asia 3.

The approach aligns with Indonesia’s national AI strategy (2020-2045), which identifies infrastructure development as one of the four critical pillars for successful AI integration 1.

By leveraging its extensive network coverage (97% population coverage for 4G, over 3,000 5G BTS), Telkomsel is positioned to overcome the infrastructure limitations that have constrained AI accessibility, particularly in remote areas.

This model could become increasingly important as AI is projected to contribute an additional $366 billion to Indonesia’s GDP over the next decade, but only if access barriers are effectively addressed 1.

3️⃣ Strategic timing capitalizes on major tech investments in Indonesian AI ecosystem

Telkomsel’s partnership coincides with significant investment in Indonesia’s AI infrastructure from global technology leaders, creating a favorable environment for rapid adoption.

Major tech firms including Nvidia and Microsoft have recently committed substantial investments to Indonesia’s AI ecosystem, with Nvidia investing $200 million and Microsoft $1.7 billion 4.

The partnership launches as the Indonesian government is expected to issue comprehensive AI regulations by the end of 2024, which will help standardize AI adoption across various sectors 4.

With 50% of employees in key sectors already using AI weekly, the bundled service addresses growing demand while simplifying access to premium AI tools that might otherwise remain out of reach for many users 4.

The initiative reflects a broader regional trend where Southeast Asian nations are competing to establish themselves as leading AI hubs by leveraging their youthful, tech-savvy populations through targeted government and private sector collaboration 3.

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