Singapore-based mobile network provider Smartcom has begun operations in Indonesia, focusing on logistics, oil and gas, and public safety sectors.

The company provides push-to-talk communication solutions and devices with features such as barcode scanners and GPS tracking.

The technology integrates ATEX-certified hardware with TASSTA communication apps, working on LTE or Wi-Fi networks.

Smartcom’s solutions are already used by the National Traffic Police Corps and Kereta Api Indonesia.

The systems rely on 4G to 5G networks, with support from Indonesian telecom provider Telkomsel to ensure priority bandwidth during peak traffic.

This collaboration aims to maintain connectivity for sensitive communications in high-risk environments.

Smartcom’s devices, are now available in Indonesia through local partners in Java, Sumatra, and Kalimantan.

🔗 Source: Katadata

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Indonesia’s complex telecom regulations shape foreign entrants’ strategy

Smartcom’s entry into Indonesia occurs within a highly regulated telecommunications environment that significantly influences how foreign companies must operate.

Foreign ownership in telecommunications is capped at 67%, requiring international companies to establish local partnerships and navigate complex licensing processes that can take up to six months to complete 1.

Beyond licensing, telecommunications operators must contribute 1.25% of their gross revenue to fund the Universal Service Obligation (USO), which supports telecommunications access in underserved areas 1.

Smartcom’s partnership with Telkomsel appears strategically essential in this context, as Indonesia’s telecommunications market is dominated by five major players controlling approximately 90% of the market share 2.

This regulatory framework explains why Smartcom’s expansion strategy focuses on specialized business segments rather than competing directly with established providers in the consumer market.

2️⃣ B2B specialization targets high-growth sectors amid market evolution