Indonesia is poised to welcome SpaceX’s Starlink LEO satellite broadband service within the next two weeks, announced Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the coordinating minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment. According to government sources, Starlink has secured the necessary agreement and license from Indonesian authorities to commence satellite internet operations.
The official launch announcement is anticipated to be made in Bali shortly, as mentioned by Luhut during the “Jakarta Future Forum: Blue Horizons, Green Growth” event held in Jakarta last Friday.
This development follows Starlink’s recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) to expand internet access to remote and underdeveloped regions across the archipelago.
In a proactive move last month, SpaceX submitted formal applications for an ISP permit and a VSAT license to operate in Indonesia. The company also aims to enhance internet connectivity in Indonesia’s forthcoming new capital city, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), with initial service trials expected to commence in mid-May.
The impending arrival of Starlink promises to significantly improve internet accessibility in Indonesia, particularly in areas where traditional broadband infrastructure is challenging to deploy. This satellite-based solution could be transformative for connecting Indonesia’s diverse and geographically dispersed communities.
The partnership between Starlink and Indonesia marks a strategic leap forward in leveraging advanced satellite technology to bridge the digital divide across the vast Indonesian archipelago. With the imminent launch of Starlink’s broadband service, Indonesia is poised to experience a new era of enhanced connectivity and digital inclusion.
