According to a recent report by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), the adoption rate of 5G technology in Indonesia remains notably low. Despite the rollout of 5G services in the country starting five years ago, only about 4% of mobile connections were utilizing 5G as of 2025.
Current State of 5G in Indonesia
Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific at GSMA, shared these findings during an online presentation of the Mobile Economy Asia Pacific 2026 report earlier this month. The 4% figure is significantly lower compared to other Southeast Asian nations, such as the Philippines, where the adoption rate is projected to reach around 25% in the same year.
Comparative Analysis with Neighboring Countries
The gap in 5G adoption becomes even more pronounced when looking at Singapore, which GSMA classifies as a mature 5G market. By 2025, Singapore is expected to have a 34% adoption rate, surpassing the average for the Asia-Pacific region, which stands at approximately 27%.
Future Projections for 5G Growth
Despite the current shortcomings, there is optimism for the future of 5G in Indonesia. Gorman anticipates that by 2030, the adoption rate could rise to around 28%. The coverage of 5G networks is also expected to improve, with projections indicating that it will reach about 32% of the population by 2030.
The Dominance of 4G Technology
Currently, 4G technology remains the backbone of mobile connectivity in Indonesia, accounting for around 92% of total connections expected in 2025. However, GSMA forecasts a decline in 4G usage, estimating that its share could drop to approximately 70% by the end of the decade as more users migrate to 5G services.
One of the key challenges hindering the rapid development of 5G in Indonesia is the availability of spectrum. The country commenced its 5G rollout on May 27, 2021, with state-owned operator Telkomsel leading the way.
Source: https://tekno.kompas.com/read/2026/08/20/14550097/riset-gsma--adopsi-5g-di-indonesia-4-persen-tertinggal-dari-negara-tetangga
