Indosat
Corporate brand
UnclaimedIndonesian telecommunications operator providing mobile, broadband, data, fixed-line, international calling, and multimedia services.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Indosat, legally PT Indosat Tbk and trading since 2022 as Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, is a major Indonesian telecommunications operator. Its principal activities are mobile connectivity, mobile data, broadband, enterprise communications, and related digital services. The company serves Indonesia through two principal consumer mobile brands: IM3 and 3, commonly styled as Tri. The brands have historically been differentiated by customer segment, payment model, pricing architecture, and market positioning. Indosat also provides international direct dialing, fixed telecommunications, home broadband, data-center and dedicated-internet services, and other multimedia and enterprise solutions. The company was founded in 1967 as Indonesia's first foreign-investment enterprise established to provide international telecommunications services through an international satellite. It was initially associated with ITT through the American Cable and Radio Corporation. In 1980, the Indonesian government acquired the company in full, making Indosat a state-owned international telecommunications operator. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Indosat expanded beyond its original international-services role by acquiring or consolidating telecommunications assets and establishing mobile operations. It acquired majority interests in Satelindo and SLI, created PT Indosat Multimedia Mobile to develop a nationwide GPRS network, and in 2003 merged Satelindo, IM3, and Bimagraha into a more integrated mobile-network business. Indosat subsequently developed more advanced mobile capabilities. It received a 3G license, introduced 3.5G services in Jakarta and Surabaya, and later obtained additional spectrum. In 2009, Qatar Telecom, later renamed Ooredoo, became the majority shareholder after acquiring shares from the public. This altered Indosat's ownership structure while preserving its Indonesian operating base. The company also participated in Indonesia's WiMAX tender process during this period. The business entered the 4G era in 2014, when it launched and commercialized 4G services using the 900 MHz band, initially targeting major cities before broader expansion. In 2015, following the international rebranding of Qatar Telecom as Ooredoo, the company adopted the Indosat Ooredoo name. Its consumer and digital-service activity included a 2016 partnership with Spotify, described as the first operator offering Spotify music services in Indonesia. Indosat later announced its intention to leave the satellite business as it concentrated on telecommunications and digital connectivity. In 2021, Indosat and Hutchison Asia Telecom Group announced a merger involving PT Hutchison 3 Indonesia, the operator of the Indonesian 3-branded network. The transaction closed on 4 January 2022. The combined company became Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, bringing the IM3 and 3 operations under one telecommunications group. Ooredoo Hutchison Asia became the controlling shareholder, while the Indonesian government and public investors retained minority interests. Indosat therefore combines a long-established national telecommunications identity with the assets and customer reach of the former Hutchison 3 Indonesia business.
History
Indosat was established in 1967 as Indonesia's first foreign-investment company created to provide international telecommunications services through an international satellite. Its early business was focused on international communications rather than the consumer mobile market that later became central to the company. The business was associated with ITT through the American Cable and Radio Corporation until 1980, when the Indonesian government acquired full ownership. During the 1990s, Indosat began broadening its telecommunications portfolio. It acquired majority interests in Satelindo and SLI and established PT Indosat Multimedia Mobile, commonly associated with the IM3 business, to operate a nationwide GPRS network. These moves gave Indosat a stronger position in domestic mobile communications and data services. In 2003, Indosat combined Satelindo, IM3, and Bimagraha in a corporate consolidation that established the modern company as a mobile-network operator rather than solely an international-services provider. The company continued its network modernization in the following decade. It received a 3G license and introduced 3.5G services in Jakarta and Surabaya. In 2009, Qatar Telecom acquired additional Indosat shares from public investors and became the company's majority shareholder, with a reported 65 percent ownership at that time. Qatar Telecom subsequently became Ooredoo, and the change was reflected in Indosat's corporate identity. Indosat also participated in the Indonesian government's WiMAX tender process and later obtained additional 3G frequency capacity. Indosat launched commercial 4G services in 2014 using the 900 MHz band. The initial deployment emphasized major urban areas, with expansion planned for less densely populated locations. In November 2015, the company adopted the Indosat Ooredoo name as part of the wider Ooredoo rebranding program. Its service portfolio increasingly included digital partnerships and content services; in 2016, it worked with Spotify to offer music services to Indonesian customers. In January 2021, Indosat announced plans to exit its satellite business. Later that year, it announced a merger with PT Hutchison 3 Indonesia, the Indonesian operator of the 3-branded network. The transaction was completed on 4 January 2022, creating Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison. The merged group combined Indosat's IM3 operations with the 3 business and operated under the IOH identity. Ooredoo Hutchison Asia became the controlling shareholder, while the Indonesian government and public shareholders retained minority stakes. Alongside its consumer mobile operations, Indosat has developed enterprise and infrastructure activities. Its majority-owned Lintasarta business provides data communications, dedicated internet, data-center, terrestrial, wireless, and VSAT-related services. Indosat's historical subsidiary Indosat Mega Media focused on IP-based services, internet solutions, and multimedia products, although it is identified as a former subsidiary in the available reference material. Today, Indosat's business is centered on mobile connectivity, broadband, digital services, and enterprise communications across Indonesia.
- 2022
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison is formed
[1]The merger with Hutchison 3 Indonesia closes on 4 January, creating Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison.
- 2021
Satellite-business exit and merger plans
[1]Indosat announces its intention to leave the satellite business and announces a merger with Hutchison 3 Indonesia.
- 2015
Indosat becomes Indosat Ooredoo
[1]The company changes its corporate brand following Qatar Telecom's international rebranding as Ooredoo.
- 2014
Commercial 4G service launches
[1]Indosat launches 4G service on the 900 MHz band, initially concentrating on major Indonesian cities.
- 2009
Qatar Telecom becomes majority shareholder
[1]Qatar Telecom acquires additional publicly held shares and becomes Indosat's majority shareholder.
- 2003
Mobile businesses are consolidated
[1]Indosat merges Satelindo, IM3, and Bimagraha, consolidating its position as a mobile-network operator.
- 1980
Indonesian government acquires Indosat
[1]The Indonesian government acquires full ownership of the company from its earlier foreign ownership structure.
- 1967
Indosat is established
[1]Indosat is founded as Indonesia's first foreign-investment company providing international telecommunications services through an international satellite.
Products and positioning
Mass-market and digitally oriented telecommunications provider serving consumer, home-broadband, and enterprise customers in Indonesia.
Mobile telecommunications
IM3
IM3 is one of Indosat's principal consumer mobile brands. It provides mobile voice, messaging, prepaid and postpaid access, and mobile data services in Indonesia. The brand developed from Indosat's IM3 mobile operation and remains one of the two core consumer identities used by the combined Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison business.
Mobile telecommunications
3
3, also known as Tri, is the second major mobile brand operated by Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison in Indonesia. It entered the group through the 2022 merger with PT Hutchison 3 Indonesia. The brand provides consumer mobile voice, messaging, data, and internet services, with its own customer proposition and pricing structure.
Home broadband
Indosat HiFi
Indosat HiFi is the company's home-broadband offering. It represents Indosat's expansion beyond mobile connectivity into fixed home internet services and is marketed for household broadband access in Indonesia.
Enterprise communications
Lintasarta
Lintasarta is a majority-owned Indonesian data-communications company associated with Indosat. Its portfolio includes terrestrial wireline and wireless solutions, VSAT services, dedicated internet, data-center services, and other enterprise connectivity products.
Mobile telecommunications
Indosat Multimedia Mobile
PT Indosat Multimedia Mobile was established to develop and operate a nationwide GPRS network. Its operations were later incorporated into the broader Indosat structure through the 2003 consolidation involving Satelindo, IM3, and Bimagraha.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Empowering Indonesia
Indonesia
Following the merger, the Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison group used the 'Empowering Indonesia' platform to express its role in expanding digital connectivity and supporting Indonesia's digital development.
Outcome. The platform accompanied the post-merger Indosat identity.
- 2015Indosat Ooredoo rebrand
Indonesia
Indosat adopted the Indosat Ooredoo identity as part of Ooredoo's international corporate rebranding program.
Outcome. The Indosat Ooredoo name was used until the 2022 merger with Hutchison 3 Indonesia.
Brand decisions
2022
Merger with Hutchison 3 IndonesiaM&ABackground
Indosat and Hutchison Asia Telecom Group sought to combine complementary Indonesian mobile operations, including Indosat's IM3 business and Hutchison's 3 network.
Action taken
The merger was completed on 4 January 2022, creating Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison.
Aftermath
The merged group operated IM3 and 3 as its principal consumer mobile brands and became controlled by Ooredoo Hutchison Asia.
2021
Decision to exit the satellite businessStrategyBackground
Indosat was reassessing its portfolio as its principal growth areas centered on mobile, broadband, and digital telecommunications.
Action taken
The company announced that it would withdraw from the satellite business.
Aftermath
The decision indicated a sharper concentration on telecommunications and digital connectivity.
2014
Launch of commercial 4G serviceProduct launchBackground
Indonesian mobile customers were transitioning from 3G services toward faster mobile broadband.
Action taken
Indosat launched commercial 4G service on the 900 MHz band, initially in major cities.
Aftermath
The company began expanding the service beyond the initial urban deployment.
2003
Consolidation of mobile subsidiariesStrategyBackground
Indosat held several telecommunications businesses, including Satelindo, IM3, and Bimagraha, and sought a more integrated operating structure.
Action taken
The company merged the three subsidiaries into a consolidated Indosat mobile-network operation.
Aftermath
The consolidation strengthened Indosat's identity as an integrated mobile operator.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Nokia signs three-year network agreement with Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison[3]
Nokia signed a three-year agreement to become Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison’s main supplier for 4G and 5G network deployment and expansion in Indonesia. Network deployment was expected to begin that month.
Reported
Indosat Ooredoo launches commercial 5G service in Surabaya[4]
Indosat Ooredoo announced the launch of commercial 5G service in Surabaya, Indonesia, with Nokia providing network equipment and its dynamic spectrum sharing solution.
Sources4 sources
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