**OpenAI Partners with Telkomsel to Launch Bundled ChatGPT Go Data Packages for 157 Million Indonesian Users**
OpenAI has teamed up with Telkomsel, Indonesia’s largest mobile operator, to offer bundled ChatGPT Go data packages to over 157 million Indonesian users. This landmark partnership marks OpenAI’s first large-scale collaboration with a telecom provider in Southeast Asia, aiming to enhance AI accessibility across Indonesia’s vast mobile and broadband market.
**Affordable ChatGPT Go Bundles Powered by GPT-5**
The new ChatGPT Go bundles, officially launched this week, integrate OpenAI’s subscription service with Telkomsel’s mobile and IndiHome home internet offerings. Priced starting at just Rp50,000 (approximately US$3), these packages provide special ChatGPT-specific data quotas and up to two months of access to ChatGPT Go, which is powered by advanced GPT-5 technology.
OpenAI first introduced ChatGPT Go in Indonesia back in September as part of its entry into the local subscription market. Priced at Rp75,000 (around US$4.50) per month, the subscription includes enhanced features such as increased message limits, image generation, file uploads, and extended memory—tailored to boost everyday productivity and entertainment.
**Driving Digital Adoption and Revenue Growth**
This collaboration not only democratizes access to cutting-edge AI technology but also positions Indonesia as a strategic hub for OpenAI’s regional expansion ambitions. For Telkomsel, the partnership adds a premium layer to its digital portfolio, especially as growth in mobile data revenue begins to stabilize.
By bundling data specifically for ChatGPT usage, Telkomsel reduces barriers for users, simplifying AI adoption in a largely mobile-first population. The offer also extends to IndiHome home internet subscribers through limited retention and promotional programs, broadening its reach beyond mobile users.
Indonesia’s digital economy, valued at over US$80 billion in 2024, continues to gain momentum through app-driven engagement and rising online productivity. AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming a natural next step for many consumers, helping fuel broader digital transformation.
**Boosting Telkomsel’s Average Revenue Per User (ARPU)**
Industry analysts see the ChatGPT Go data bundle as a strategic opportunity for Telkomsel to raise its average revenue per user (ARPU) without disrupting existing plans. Despite strong retention rates, Telkomsel’s ARPU hovered around IDR 45,000 in Q2 2024 under competitive pricing pressures.
The affordable Rp50,000 ChatGPT bundles present an attractive upsell opportunity. Even if a small percentage of Telkomsel’s 80 million digital service users convert to paid ChatGPT subscriptions, the operator can unlock a significant new recurring revenue stream.
However, experts note that user conversion and long-term retention remain unproven. Whether users renew after promotional periods will depend heavily on the perceived daily utility of AI assistants in functions such as messaging, translation, education, and more.
**Ripple Effects Across Indonesia’s AI Ecosystem**
Telkomsel’s move is expected to inspire competitors to follow suit. For instance, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison recently launched Sahabat-AI, a local large language model supporting five Indonesian languages. Additionally, GoTo Group has begun integrating AI tools into its voice assistant “Dira.”
Local infrastructure efforts like GPU Merdeka—Indonesia’s domestic GPU compute cluster—are also paving the way for more homegrown AI services to seamlessly integrate with telecom billing systems and comply with local regulations.
**A Template for Regional AI-Telco Collaboration**
The OpenAI-Telkomsel partnership may serve as a blueprint for distributing AI technologies regionally by blending subscription-based models with the convenience and reach of telecom networks. As AI becomes increasingly integral to everyday life, traditional telcos are reinventing themselves as gateways to the next digital frontier.
Through this collaboration, OpenAI and Telkomsel demonstrate the potential for telecom operators to play a central role in driving AI-powered digital adoption, economic growth, and innovation across emerging markets like Indonesia.
https://coincentral.com/openai-expands-southeast-asia-footprint-with-telkomsel-chatgpt-go-deal/