Mitratel and AALTO Strengthen Collaboration on Stratospace and Telecommunications Infrastructure in Indonesia

BARCELONA - PT Dayamitra Telekomunikasi Tbk (Mitratel) and AALTO HAPS Limited (AALTO), a subsidiary of Airbus, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance Stratospace development and telecommunications infrastructure in Indonesia. The signing took place as part of Mobile World Congress (MWC) proceedings in Barcelona on Monday, 2 March 2026. AALTO will act as the Stratospace connectivity provider and Stratocraft operator, including deployment, operation and management of High Altitude Platform System (HAPS)-based solutions. Mitratel, as a provider of telecommunications tower infrastructure and the operating company of PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom), will support the implementation by providing and managing the necessary tower infrastructure. The collaboration will be conducted with adherence to the principles of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in Indonesia and relevant jurisdictions. Both parties will ensure that all licensing, approvals and documentation from government agencies and related bodies are fulfilled in accordance with the law. This milestone underscores the commitment of both parties to delivering innovative, reliable and sustainable connectivity solutions across various regions of Indonesia. Director of Strategic Business Development & Portfolio Telkom, Seno Soemadji, said the initiative is part of TelkomGroup’s strategy to prepare a foundation for next-generation infrastructure that complements the terrestrial network. “HAPS technology has the potential to address the challenges of providing services in 3T areas (Tertinggal, Terdepan, and Terluar), in line with government needs as well as the basic requirement of society for equitable connectivity. Moreover, this solution can be utilised in disaster situations when terrestrial infrastructure is disrupted, thereby supporting faster and more effective service restoration,” Seno said. He added that TelkomGroup supports the continuation of this initiative through comprehensive testing and feasibility studies to ensure measured readiness for implementation. “Each stage of technology adoption will be carried out prudently, prioritising good governance and compliance with all applicable regulations, thereby delivering long-term value for the national digital ecosystem,” he added. Expanding the scope of the collaboration continues the understanding established since 2023. The potential synergies between the two parties will continue to be evaluated through thorough studies covering business, financial, technical, operational, commercial, legal and regulatory aspects to ensure accountable planning and execution. CEO of Mitratel Theodorus Ardi Hartoko emphasised that the initiative aligns with the company’s commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s digital infrastructure ecosystem. “The synergy between tower infrastructure and HAPS technology is expected to enhance service quality, broaden coverage and support the resilience of the national telecommunications system. This MoU provides a firmer foundation for both parties to develop a measurable, long-term implementation roadmap,” Hartoko said. CEO of AALTO, Hughes Boulnois, said the strengthening of this collaboration comes amid growing commercial momentum for Stratospace technology. “Zephyr’s ability to deliver direct-to-device connectivity opens opportunities to reach areas with limited access while improving network reliability. Asia-Pacific is a strategic region for AALTO’s growth and an important part of the evolution of global connectivity,” he stated. With the MoU extended to October 2027, the two companies will continue to evaluate and mature the potential integration of HAPS technology with telecommunications infrastructure as part of a joint commitment to expanding connectivity access and accelerating Indonesia’s digital transformation.