Djarum Group's Breakthrough
Djarum Group is further expanding its foothold in the infrastructure and digital services business. This latest move comes from PT Varnion Technology Semesta, a subsidiary of PT iForte Solusi Infotek, which is part of the PT Sarana Menara Nusantara Tbk (TOWR) ecosystem, through the development of next-generation connectivity technology heading towards the Wi-Fi 8 era.
Varnion signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Omada by TP-Link during the introduction of Wi-Fi 8 technology in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday (15/09/2026). This collaboration is aimed at strengthening research, testing, and the development of connectivity solutions for the hospitality and enterprise sectors in Indonesia.
This step is significant because Varnion does not merely operate as a connectivity provider but develops internet networks integrated with applications. This means that Djarum Group, through the TOWR ecosystem, has the opportunity to expand its digital business from simple telecommunications infrastructure to services with higher added value. iForte itself is part of the TOWR business and has been part of the Djarum Group ecosystem since being acquired through PT Profesional Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Protelindo) in 2015.
Recently, Djarum Group’s expansion into the digital sector was also evident in Protelindo’s move to increase its ownership in PT Remala Abadi Tbk (DATA) to 51% in July 2026. This transaction strengthens Djarum Group’s portfolio in the Internet Service Provider (ISP) business. Consequently, Varnion’s development of Wi-Fi 8 can be seen as part of a larger trend: the strengthening of Djarum Group’s connectivity ecosystem, ranging from infrastructure to internet services and digital solutions.
Chasing Wi-Fi 8
Through the collaboration with Omada, Varnion gains access to the latest devices and support from the Omada development team to conduct research, testing, and the development of products and services.
Founder and President Director of Varnion, Alexander Budiman, stated that support for research and development was the primary reason the company chose Omada as a strategic partner. “We built Varnion as a technology company based on research and development. Therefore, we need a partner that supports our innovation process,” Alexander said in a written statement on Tuesday (15/09/2026).
According to him, access to the latest devices and direct support from the development team allows Varnion to test technology while providing feedback based on field implementation experience. The collaboration also opens opportunities for Varnion to develop solutions tailored to the needs of Indonesian customers and integrate them with the company’s application ecosystem.
Wi-Fi 8 is aimed at improving connection quality in environments with high device density and signal interference. The technology includes features such as Coordinated Spatial Reuse and Coordinated Beamforming, which allow network devices to manage spectrum and signal usage more coordinately. For Varnion, these developments present an opportunity to provide connectivity that is not only fast but also more stable when many devices are active simultaneously.
Value-Added Services
A differentiator in Varnion’s current strategy is the effort to combine networks with applications within a single ecosystem. As an ISP with Application-Based Solutions, Varnion develops connectivity services alongside applications through CloudOne. This ecosystem includes Megalos for connectivity management, Keponet for operational work coordination, and Vlepo for television services and digital experiences for guests.
This approach has the potential to transform the connectivity business from merely selling internet access to becoming a digital solution provider for corporate customers. For the hospitality sector, for instance, connection quality is a key part of the guest experience. For companies, consistent networks are increasingly important to support operations, cloud applications, video communication, IoT, and the utilisation of AI.
Director of TP-Link Indonesia, Jimmy Gu, stated that innovation is not only about introducing the latest technology but also about how that technology provides real benefits to businesses. “The collaboration with Varnion is an opportunity to combine Omada’s technological capabilities with an understanding of customer needs in the field,” said Jimmy.
For the Djarum Group ecosystem, these developments demonstrate how the telecommunications business can be expanded further into the digital services sector. TOWR has long been known as a telecommunications infrastructure player through its tower and fibre optic businesses. However, expansion through iForte, the strengthening of the ISP business, and the development of connectivity solutions show a broader growth space beyond conventional tower businesses.
This move also aligns with Djarum Group’s increasingly aggressive entry into the digital sector. In addition to TOWR, Djarum Group strengthened its position in the ISP business in July 2026 by taking a 51% controlling stake in DATA through Protelindo. Therefore, Varnion’s development of Wi-Fi 8 is not just about new network technology. For the Djarum ecosystem, this technology can serve as a foundation for offering more integrated connectivity services to corporate and hospitality customers.
However, the commercial implementation of Wi-Fi 8 will still depend on the development of standards, device readiness, and technical testing results. Varnion stated that the implementation of this technology will follow the development of standards and customer needs. With the slogan “Beyond Speed, Toward Reliability,” Varnion is now positioning connection reliability as its primary selling point. If successfully translated into application-based services and digital solutions, this move has the potential to increase the business value of connectivity within the Djarum Group ecosystem.