Inside SM+'s Partnership Strategy for Growth

In a recent datacenterHawk podcast, David Liggitt sat down with Herson Suindah, President Director & Group CEO of SM+, to explore Indonesia’s rapidly evolving digital infrastructure market. Their discussion highlighted SM+’s vision, the unique opportunities in the region, and the company’s strategic partnerships that are setting a new standard for data center development in Southeast Asia. SM+ was founded with the mission to fill critical infrastructure gaps in Indonesia. Backed by a major Indonesian business group, the company takes a future-focused approach, integrating fiber networks, mobile operations, submarine cables, and data centers into a unified solution. Suindah explained, “If the country isn’t ready, then what do we need to do, and how are we going to do it?” This mindset drives SM+ to develop solutions that anticipate and address Indonesia’s evolving digital needs. With a population of 275 million—many of whom are young and tech-savvy—Indonesia offers massive growth potential. Rather than being limited by outdated systems, the country’s relatively clean slate gives it an advantage: the ability to build modern, efficient infrastructure from the ground up. Indonesia's openness to technology, from BlackBerry in the early days to social platforms like Instagram, shows a strong track record of digital adoption. While the country may not yet lead in tech creation, it excels at commercializing and scaling digital tools—an asset SM+ leverages in its long-term strategy. SM+ prioritizes global partnerships to accelerate knowledge-sharing and innovation. One standout example is their joint venture with Korea’s LG Group to expand regional services. “For us, it’s not about building a franchise but forming true partnerships,” Suindah said. By aligning with global leaders and attracting top-tier talent, SM+ has positioned itself as a trusted local expert and partner for international companies entering Indonesia. SM+ is currently developing an 18MW city-center data center in Jakarta using modular construction, designed for efficiency and scalability. The company overcomes regulatory and timeline challenges by implementing global best practices and innovative technologies. Beyond Indonesia, SM+ has regional ambitions. Suindah believes the country will move from being a technology consumer to becoming a hub for innovation and infrastructure leadership in Southeast Asia. SM+’s success stems from its forward-thinking approach, strong partnerships, and commitment to solving real-world infrastructure challenges. “At the very basic layer of all the things we want to build is the infrastructure,” Suindah noted. For IT professionals, investors, and global operators, the message is clear: Indonesia is an emerging powerhouse in digital infrastructure, and SM+ is leading the way. Stay tuned for more updates on SM+ and their transformative projects across Indonesia. The Vision Behind SM+: Building Indonesia’s Digital BackboneWhy Indonesia is a Market to WatchPartnerships: The Key to GrowthRevolutionizing Indonesia’s Digital InfrastructureA Blueprint for Leadership