TelkomGroup, Mitratel-AALTO to develop Stratospace in Indonesia
Jakarta — HAPS technology has the potential to address challenges in delivering services in the 3T regions. TelkomGroup, through PT Dayamitra Telekomunikasi Tbk (Mitratel) and AALTO HAPS Limited, a subsidiary of Airbus, continued their strategic collaboration to develop Stratospace and telecommunications infrastructure in Indonesia by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday (2 March).
The collaboration aims to explore non-terrestrial connectivity based on High Altitude Platform System (HAPS) to extend reach and improve the reliability of the national network, including in the regions designated as 3T: marginalised, frontier, and outermost areas.
Seno Soemadji, Director of Strategic Business Development & Portfolio at PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, said the initiative is part of TelkomGroup’s strategy to prepare the foundations for the next-generation infrastructure that complements the terrestrial network.
“HAPS technology has the potential to address challenges in delivering services in the 3T regions, in line with government needs and the basic requirement for citizens to have equitable connectivity. In addition, this solution can be utilised in disaster situations when terrestrial infrastructure is disrupted, enabling faster and more effective service restoration,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Under the MoU, AALTO will act as the Stratospace connectivity service provider and operator of Stratocraft, covering deployment, operation, and management of HAPS-based solutions.
Meanwhile, Mitratel, as the telecommunications tower infrastructure provider and Telkom’s operating company, will support implementation by providing and managing the necessary tower infrastructure.
Seno added that TelkomGroup will undertake testing and a comprehensive feasibility study to ensure readiness for implementation is measured and prudent, while upholding good corporate governance and compliance with all applicable regulations.
Expanding the scope of the collaboration is a continuation of the understanding established since 2023. The potential synergies will continue to be evaluated through a thorough assessment covering business, financial, technical, operational, commercial, legal, and regulatory aspects to ensure accountable planning and execution.
Theodorus Ardi Hartoko, CEO of Mitratel, stated that the synergy between tower infrastructure and HAPS technology is expected to improve service quality, expand coverage, and strengthen the resilience of the national telecommunications system.
“This understanding provides a firmer foundation for both parties to formulate a measured, long-term implementation roadmap,” he explained.
Meanwhile, AALTO CEO Hughes Boulnois said the strengthening of cooperation occurs amid growing commercial momentum for Stratospace technology, including the Zephyr platform’s capability to deliver direct-to-device connectivity to reach areas with limited access.
“The Asia-Pacific region is a strategic growth area for AALTO and a key part of the evolution of global connectivity,” he noted.
The MoU, extended to October 2027, provides a basis for TelkomGroup via Mitratel and AALTO to continue evaluating the potential integration of HAPS technology and telecommunications infrastructure to support the acceleration of Indonesia’s digital transformation.