OREX SAI、オープンRANベースの5Gをインドネシア全土に展開

The joint venture between NTT DOCOMO and NEC, OREX SAI, announced a full-scale commercial deployment of Open RAN‑based 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) using the 1.4 GHz (n50) band across Indonesia in collaboration with PT Solusi Sinergi Digital (SURGE). This is in line with the ambitious drive to increase affordable high-speed internet access to more rural communities while accelerating digital inclusion.

Under the deal, SURGE will lead infrastructure deployment across Region I — covering more than 60% of Indonesian households — while OREX SAI provides the core Open RAN 5G system, including radio units specifically certified for the local n50 band.

Commercial launch is scheduled to take place in 2026, starting with approximately 4,800 base stations. SURGE plans to provide flat rate 5G FWA services for about IDR 100,000 (~USD 6) per month, providing speeds of up to 100 Mbps, with no data caps and free installations.

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This project leverages prior agreements: in March 2025, SURGE and OREX SAI entered a multi-year contract formalizing their collaboration on a national broadband rollout.

Later in June, OREX SAI’s Indonesian arm completed development of the first Type-Approved Radio Unit for the n50 band, a key technical milestone.

The Japanese government assists the deployment, including lab trials at Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as well as supporting the Economy, Trade & Industry Ministry’s “Global South Future‑Oriented Co-creation Project,” which reinforces the international dimension of this collaboration.

Strategic Importance to the Japanese Technology Sector

Advancing Open RAN and Global Scale

For DOCOMO and NEC, the deployment is about much more than connectivity-it’s a major global Open RAN play. OREX SAI, which was established this year, 2024, was specifically created to accelerate global adoption of DOCOMO’s “OREX Packages,” a full-stack Open RAN solution designed for international telecom operators.

With a commercial-scale rollout in Indonesia, OREX SAI demonstrates that Open RAN technology can be scaled up beyond the Japanese market by a Japanese originator, further validating Japanese innovation in next-generation radio networks.

Strengthening Japan–ASEAN Technology Ties

Japan is partnering with SURGE, a key local player. This move boosts its power in South-East Asia’s telecom infrastructure. This move helps Japanese telecom and network companies in ASEAN markets. It opens up new chances in 5G, private networks, smart cities, and digital transformation.

Driving Telecom Innovation Among Japanese Companies

By financing and deploying an Open RAN‑based FWA system overseas, Japanese companies like NEC and DOCOMO position themselves as not simply equipment vendors but as full-service network integrators. This might spur other Japanese telcos and vendors to invest aggressively in Open RAN, cloud-native RAN architectures, and worldwide scalable network solutions.

Supporting Japan’s National Tech Strategy

Japan has been one of the vocal proponents of Open RAN and, more broadly, open and interoperable telecom infrastructure. This deployment shows that Japanese companies are not just discussing openness. They are acting on it, and they’re doing it globally. It matches Japan’s goals for innovation. This shows that its telecom giants can lead globally, especially in emerging markets.

Effects on Businesses and Telecom Operators

For Indonesian Telecom and Infrastructure Players

SURGE benefits by utilizing advanced Open RAN technology without having to build from scratch. The low-cost scalable FWA model will also allow it to reach those underserved areas faster and cheaper.

Local distributors: SURGE collaborates with 26 local distribution partners to push connectivity deep into the communities.

It digitizes the most remote and rural areas to enable education, e-commerce, and public services.

For Open RAN Ecosystem Vendors

The benefits would also spread to OREX-partner vendors globally since OREX SAI sources its components and software from the OREX PARTNER network.

This could drive demand for Japanese and global radio units, orchestration systems, and service vendors.

Systems integrators and maintenance firms will be required for deployment, operation, and local servicing, thus opening a new channel for the expansion of Japanese integration companies.

For Japanese Network Equipment & RAN Innovators

This JV allows NEC to establish a commercial reference in the largest and fastest-growing market for Open RAN; it can leverage such success stories to strengthen its Open RAN propositions in other markets.

Japanese startups who specialize in Open RAN, network virtualization, or smart connectivity may find in OREX SAI a platform for partnership, acceleration, and scaling beyond domestic clients.

課題と考察

Terrain and deployment risk: Fixed wireless access in Indonesia has many geographical challenges. The islands and remote areas can affect line-of-sight, signal stability, and site access.

Regulatory and Licensing Complexity: To build a nationwide network with Open RAN, we must work closely with regulators. OREX SAI must manage spectrum licensing and local rules carefully.

Economic sustainability: The flat rate of IDR 100,000 seems attractive. However, profits depend on deployment and maintenance costs, plus the number of subscribers. If the rate of adoption is slow, then financial viability may be challenged.

Open RAN infrastructure works best with strong orchestration and solid operations support. In this regard, OREX SAI must ensure its systems are resilient and cost-effective.ive.

Outlook: A Milestone for Japanese Telecom Innovation

The launch of a full-scale, Open RAN-based 5G FWA network by OREX SAI and SURGE is a defining moment-not just for Indonesia’s digital inclusion, but also for Japan’s telecom industry. It validates the Japanese approach to open, interoperable networks and underlines Japanese companies’ willingness to lead global deployments.

について NEC, ドコモ, and the wider Japanese tech ecosystem, this could provide a blueprint for future connectivity projects in other emerging markets. With the recent mainstreaming of Open RAN, Japanese firms are well-positioned to deliver both innovation and scale.

The project, if successful, will likely accelerate similar partnerships throughout Southeast Asia, boost Japan’s role in global telecom infrastructure, and catalyze a new era of open, affordable, and inclusive network deployment.