XLSMART and ZTE Launch Indonesia’s First Nationwide 5g Blanket Network

Taylor Keatsman

Published: February 28, 2026 8:49 PM ET

XLSMART and ZTE Launch Indonesia’s First Nationwide 5g Blanket Network

XLSMART and ZTE launched XL Ultra 5G+ in Surabaya on February 28, 2026 ET, presenting what is described as Indonesia’s first nationwide 5g blanket coverage network and highlighting peak on-site downlink speeds and extensive base‑station upgrades. The rollout and handset-market moves in the United States together underscore ongoing infrastructure and device shifts shaping operator strategies now.

Indonesia’s first nationwide 5g network

The commercial launch in Surabaya on February 28, 2026 ET showcased XL Ultra 5G+ using a "Blanket Coverage" approach intended to provide seamless 5g access across Indonesia’s regions. On-site testing at the launch demonstrated peak downlink speeds of up to 769 Mbps and average experienced speeds exceeding 500 Mbps, with the service presented as capable of supporting 4K/8K streaming, cloud gaming, and AR/VR applications. The network has been certified as "The Fastest 5G Network in Indonesia, H2 2025. "

Deployment work completed through January 2026 ET covered 24 of XLSMART’s 33 designated 5G cities across five major regions, including named urban areas in the rollout. The program integrated and upgraded more than 20, 000 4G base stations and added over 7, 000 new 5G base stations, aiming to improve spectrum utilization and 4G/5G coordination while advancing network resilience and intelligence.

Chinese antenna makers in 2026

Manufacturing trends in 2026 show steady high demand for LTE and 5g antennas across private networks, telematics for connected vehicles, industrial IoT endpoints, and intelligent infrastructure. Production geography is split: Guangdong facilities prioritize massive MIMO base‑station equipment while Zhejiang operations focus on compact terminal antennas and multi‑protocol combo assemblies for automotive control units, UAV payloads, and edge gateways.

Design directions emphasize broader Sub‑6 GHz coverage with targeted mmWave support, energy‑optimised massive MIMO layouts, and compact GNSS+LTE/5g+Wi‑Fi combo antennas for Internet of Vehicles and smart logistics use cases. Pricing from leading domestic makers typically runs 20–40% below non‑domestic equivalents, supported by automated production lines, RF chambers and PIM analysers, and standardised electrical and structural checks to ensure consistency.

Among headline manufacturers, major active/passive antenna system providers supply multi‑band massive MIMO spanning low‑band to C‑band ranges. Other firms concentrate on compact multi‑operator base‑station antennas covering roughly 617 MHz through 4200 MHz, promoting slimmer site profiles and lower costs for shared environments. Terminal and combo suppliers emphasize customisation in operating bands, connector interfaces, cable lengths and housing variants to meet precise application needs.

EchoStar’s consumer handset strategy

Separately, EchoStar’s Boost Mobile opened preorders for a flagship handset series paired with a new Infinite Access plan and promotional savings of up to US$1, 000 without a trade‑in requirement. The operator also expanded its affordable handset roster with moto g 2026 devices aimed at value‑focused customers and offered a 30‑day money‑back guarantee on device purchases.

Those device and plan moves are presented as a broadened approach to attract both higher‑value and price‑sensitive subscribers: pairing a high‑end handset funnel with lower‑priced 5g models. However, aggressive handset subsidies and promotional discounts were noted as potential near‑term margin pressures; analysts have flagged that the company is currently unprofitable and is not forecast to reach profitability in the next three years, which adds a financial context to the retail push.

Key takeaways

Infrastructure: XL Ultra 5G+ claims nationwide blanket coverage with documented on‑site peak and average speeds and large‑scale base‑station upgrades.
Supply chain: Chinese antenna outputs remain central to global LTE and 5g equipment supply, with cost and customisation advantages.
Device market: EchoStar’s handset promotions widen consumer options but raise questions about margin impact amid existing unprofitability concerns.

Forward look: If XL Ultra 5G+ continues to expand deployments from the current 24 cities toward full coverage, service reach and application support may strengthen consumer uptake. On the supply side, continued volume from Guangdong and Zhejiang manufacturers should sustain device and infrastructure availability at competitive prices. For EchoStar, subscriber gains from handset offers will need to offset promotional costs to ease margin pressure; if promotional intensity remains high while profitability is constrained, financial strain could persist.