PT Indosat Tbk. (ISAT) recorded revenue of Rp45.75 trillion during the first nine months of 2026, increasing 11.1% year-on-year (YoY) from Rp41.16 trillion in the same period last year. The growth was supported by higher average revenue per user (ARPU) and increasing data traffic despite a decline in its mobile subscriber base (08/11).

According to the company's third-quarter 2026 performance report, Indosat's revenue increased by Rp4.59 trillion compared with the first nine months of 2025.

Indosat's ARPU rose 16.5% YoY to Rp46,000 during the first nine months of 2026, compared with Rp39,000 in the corresponding period last year. The increase reflected higher revenue generated from its existing customer base.

However, the company recorded 91.5 million mobile subscribers as of the third quarter of 2026, down 3.1 million from 94.6 million in the same period last year.

The decline in subscribers occurred amid the implementation of biometric-based SIM card registration, which encouraged efforts to verify and improve subscriber data.

Indosat ARPU and Data Traffic Increase Despite Subscriber Decline

Despite the decrease in its mobile subscriber base, Indosat recorded higher data consumption during the reporting period.

The company's data traffic increased by 16% YoY to 14,829 petabytes (PB) in the third quarter of 2026, compared with 12,781 PB in the same quarter of 2025.

Indosat also recorded growth in its home broadband (HBB) business. The number of HBB subscribers reached 446,000, representing a 21.1% increase from 369,000 in the same period last year.

The increase in data consumption coincided with the company's investment in expanding network capacity and developing its digital business.

Indosat Allocates Rp28.99 Trillion for Network and AI Cloud Investment

Indosat allocated Rp28.99 trillion in capital expenditure (capex) during the first nine months of 2026.

The investment covered the development and improvement of telecommunications network capacity, including 5G infrastructure, as well as digital infrastructure to support the company's new business activities.

The company has also started expanding its artificial intelligence (AI)-based business through its AI Cloud services. The development is part of Indosat's strategy to expand its revenue sources beyond traditional connectivity services.

Indosat expects demand for computing resources and cloud services to increase as businesses and the public adopt AI technology.

The company's data traffic growth, which reached 14,829 PB in the third quarter of 2026, also supports the need for further network capacity improvements.

Telkomsel Records Lower Revenue and Net Profit in Q3 2026

Meanwhile, other telecommunications operators also recorded changes in subscriber numbers, ARPU, and data traffic during the third quarter of 2026.

Telkomsel reported 151.1 million mobile subscribers in the third quarter, down 4.1% YoY from 157.6 million in the same period last year.

On a quarterly basis, its subscriber base declined 1.6% from 153.5 million in the second quarter of 2026.

Despite the decline, Telkomsel's mobile ARPU increased 3.5% YoY to Rp44,900, compared with Rp43,400 in the third quarter of 2025. However, the figure decreased 2.4% QoQ from Rp46,000 in the previous quarter.

Telkomsel's data traffic, measured by payload, reached 5,803 PB in the third quarter of 2026, increasing 3.2% YoY from 5,622 PB in the same period last year. On a quarterly basis, traffic increased 0.8% from 5,758 PB.

In terms of financial performance, Telkomsel recorded revenue of Rp27.25 trillion in the third quarter of 2026, down 1% YoY from Rp27.53 trillion.

Its EBITDA decreased 1.6% YoY to Rp12.26 trillion from Rp12.47 trillion. Net profit also declined 10.1% to Rp4.24 trillion, compared with Rp4.71 trillion in the same period last year.

Based on the reported figures from the first through the third quarters of 2026, Telkomsel's cumulative revenue reached approximately Rp82.86 trillion. Its EBITDA totaled around Rp38.34 trillion, while net profit reached approximately Rp14.6 trillion.

XLSMART Revenue Increases 26% After Merger

PT XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera Tbk. (EXCL) recorded revenue of Rp24.03 trillion during the first half of 2026, representing a 26% YoY increase.

The company's performance was supported by higher data consumption, stable to stronger ARPU, and operational cost efficiency following its transition into the network optimization phase after the merger.

XLSMART's normalized EBITDA reached Rp11.05 trillion, increasing 19% YoY, while its EBITDA margin stood at 46%.

The company's normalized profit after tax (PAT) surged 294% YoY to Rp2.73 trillion. The increase was also supported by lower integration costs following the merger.

XLSMART's blended ARPU increased to Rp47,100 in the first half of 2026, compared with Rp38,200 in the same period last year.

Its data traffic also increased 19% YoY to 7,934 PB, supported by higher usage of digital services, including streaming, mobile gaming, and cloud-based services.

Following the merger, XLSMART continued to optimize its combined network. By the end of June 2026, approximately 92% of its network sites had been integrated into the company's network.

The company had also dismantled approximately 15,000 duplicate sites to reduce recurring operational costs.

XLSMART's total base transceiver station (BTS) count reached 265,442 units in the first half of 2026, increasing 26% YoY. Around half of the additional BTS installations over the previous year were allocated outside Java, including Sulawesi and Kalimantan.

For its 5G services, XLSMART had reached 52 cities with support from approximately 15,000 5G BTS units as of the first half of 2026.

The company's spectrum portfolio reached 217 MHz, representing a significant increase compared with its position before the merger.

During the first half of 2026, XLSMART allocated Rp10.27 trillion in capex, mainly to support network integration and 5G expansion.

PHOTO: KUMPARAN/ADITYA PANJI

This article was created with AI assistance.

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