In a bold move signaling the accelerating digital transformation of Southeast Asia,
Ooredoo Group
(QSE: ORDS) has committed an substantial US$800 million investment into Zankore, a groundbreaking AI compute and neocloud platform taking shape in Indonesia. This strategic injection positions Ooredoo as a founding shareholder, acquiring a significant 49% stake in a venture poised to redefine the region’s technological landscape, co-developed with leading industry titans
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison
(IDX: ISAT), Nokia (NYSE: NOK), and Nvidia (Nasdaq: NVDA).

The Strategic Imperative: Catalyzing Indonesia’s AI Future

Ooredoo Group’s substantial commitment to Zankore transcends a mere financial transaction; it represents a strategic bet on the exponential growth of artificial intelligence and Indonesia’s burgeoning digital economy. As a founding partner, Ooredoo aims to foster Zankore’s initial launch and rapid development, tapping into the immense potential of AI-driven services across various sectors.

This US$800 million investment is not only a vote of confidence in Indonesia’s digital future but also a testament to Ooredoo’s vision for diversified growth. The group anticipates this initial outlay will generate a cumulative EBITDA contribution nearing US$600 million over the first five years, underscoring the lucrative nature of the AI infrastructure market.

A Quintessential Alliance for Digital Dominance

Zankore emerges from a powerful collaborative effort, bringing together diverse strengths to forge a formidable platform:

• Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (ISAT): As a major telecommunications provider in Indonesia, Indosat provides invaluable local market insight, extensive network infrastructure, and a ready base for digital services. Their participation ensures Zankore is deeply integrated into the fabric of the Indonesian digital ecosystem.
• Nokia: A global leader in network infrastructure and connectivity solutions, Nokia brings its robust expertise in building scalable, reliable, and high-performance data center networks essential for AI compute platforms.
• Nvidia: The undisputed pioneer in GPU technology, Nvidia’s involvement is critical. Their cutting-edge AI chips and software platforms are the backbone of modern AI processing, ensuring Zankore will be equipped with industry-leading computational power.

This multi-faceted partnership creates a robust foundation for Zankore, promising a synergistic blend of local market access, advanced networking, and unparalleled AI processing capabilities.

Powering Tomorrow: Zankore’s Ambitious Capacity Goals

Zankore isn’t just a concept; it’s a tangible commitment to building significant AI infrastructure. The platform aims to deliver a formidable ~200 MW of AI capacity by the first half of 2027. This represents a monumental leap in regional AI computing power, positioning Indonesia as a critical hub for AI innovation and deployment.

Such extensive capacity will empower businesses, researchers, and government entities across Indonesia and beyond to leverage advanced AI applications, from complex data analytics and machine learning to sophisticated simulations and generative AI models. It acts as a digital powerhouse, fueling the next generation of technological advancement.

Why Investors are Watching ISAT Closely

For investors eyeing the Indonesian market and the broader digital infrastructure play, Ooredoo’s investment in Zankore, alongside ISAT, is a compelling narrative. It signifies:

• Diversified Revenue Streams: ISAT, through its collaboration, stands to benefit from the growing demand for AI infrastructure, moving beyond traditional telecom services.
• Strategic Market Positioning: Being at the forefront of AI compute platform development places ISAT and its partners in a powerful position to capitalize on future technological shifts.
• Long-Term Growth Potential: The projected EBITDA contribution for Ooredoo underscores the significant financial upside inherent in robust AI infrastructure. For ISAT, this partnership promises enhanced ecosystem value and potential for long-term shareholder value creation as Indonesia’s digital economy expands.

The confluence of global tech giants and local market leaders in Zankore paints a vibrant picture of a future where Indonesia leads in AI adoption within Southeast Asia. This investment is not just about building data centers; it’s about laying the groundwork for an AI-powered future, brick by digital brick.