On May 19, 2024, Elon Musk alongside Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin launched SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink, in Indonesia. The event took place at a community health center in Denpasar, Bali.
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Elon Musk arrived on the Indonesian resort island of Bali by private jet to inaugurate the launch of Starlink’s internet services.
The launch ceremony was held at a community health center in Denpasar. Musk wore a green batik shirt during the event symbolizing his engagement with local culture.
Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin signed an agreement with Musk to enhance connectivity particularly focusing on the health sector.
Starlink services were activated at three health centers on May 19, two in Bali and one on the remote island of Aru in Maluku.
A video presentation highlighted how high-speed internet could help tackle health issues such as stunting and malnutrition through real-time data input.
During his speech Musk addressed the power of internet connectivity, stating, “If you have access to the internet, you can learn anything.”
Musk expressed his excitement about bringing connectivity to places with limited or no internet access. He noted that this initiative would empower residents of remote areas by providing them with access to global information and markets.
Starlink obtained the necessary permits to operate as an internet service provider in Indonesia. This included a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) permit, which allows for satellite-based internet services.
Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi confirmed that Starlink is now commercially available in Indonesia.
Indonesia is the third country in Southeast Asia to host Starlink services following Malaysia and the Philippines.
In these countries, Starlink has already made huge inroads in providing internet connectivity to remote areas.
Minister Setiadi sought to address concerns about Starlink’s impact on local internet providers. He addressed that Starlink would complement existing services by extending internet access to regions that traditional providers cannot reach.
When asked about future investments Musk indicated a strong likelihood that his other companies might invest in Indonesia.
This includes Tesla, which has been courted by the Indonesian government to develop the country’s electric vehicle (EV) sector leveraging Indonesia’s rich nickel resources.
Although Musk is currently focused on Starlink, he acknowledged ongoing discussions about investing in Indonesia’s EV industry.
Indonesia plans to attract investments in EV manufacturing and battery production to become a global hub for electric vehicles.
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Musk is scheduled to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on May 20, 2024. This meeting will likely cover further investment opportunities and Musk’s participation in the World Water Forum.
Indonesia, an archipelago with over 17,000 islands, faces challenges in providing uniform internet access. Millions of people in rural areas lack reliable internet services, creating a digital divide between urban and rural regions.
President Widodo has prioritized the development of digital technology as part of Indonesia’s Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision, which plans to position the country among the world’s top five economies by 2045.
SpaceX’s Starlink dominates the satellite internet market with around 60% of the 7,500 satellites currently orbiting Earth.
Its services are used in regions with limited internet infrastructure, such as Ukraine, where it supports military operations, hospitals, businesses, and aid organizations.
Maritime and Investment Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan highlighted Starlink’s capability to reach Indonesia’s most remote areas.
He noted the potential benefits for health, education, and maritime sectors, which are critical for the country’s development.
As part of the trial phase, Starlink services will be activated in Nusantara, the new capital city set to replace Jakarta.
Starlink is expected to roll out commercially across the Indonesian archipelago, providing millions of Indonesians with access to high-speed internet.
The launch ceremony took place in Bali and was attended by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who flew into the resort island for the event.
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Indonesian Health Secretary Budi Gunadi Sadikin also attended the launch. Musk conducted a live speed test of the service with local health workers.
“This can make it really a lifesaver for remote medical clinics, and I think it could be transformative for education as well,” Musk stated during a press briefing.
Indonesia is an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, with millions of its population lacking reliable Internet access.
Approximately 2,700 of Indonesia’s more than 10,000 islands are still without Internet connectivity, according to Health Secretary Sadikin.
Musk signed an agreement with the Indonesian government to enhance connectivity in the health and education sectors.
Specific details of the agreement were not disclosed. The Indonesian government has allocated a budget to provide Starlink’s services to 10,000 state-owned clinics across the country in the initial implementation phase.
Starlink was granted an ISP permit earlier this month and has already obtained a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) permit to operate the VSAT hub and station equipment in Indonesia.
These permits enable Starlink’s local unit to provide telecom services directly to consumers. A collaboration agreement with the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) was also signed to improve Internet access in rural areas.
This partnership involves integrating Starlink’s Internet services with existing infrastructure allowing local ISPs to expand their reach.
The Starlink service was pilot-tested at three health facilities including two in Bali and one in Aru, to input various data sets into the national system.
These data sets included immunizations, child nutrition, and diabetes information. Health workers demonstrated the acceleration of Internet speeds after utilizing Starlink’s services during the event.
Indonesia is the third country in Southeast Asia to have access to Starlink, following Malaysia and the Philippines.
Starlink’s network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites can provide Internet to remote locations or areas with disrupted traditional communications infrastructure.
According to the World Bank, as of 2022, about two-thirds of Indonesia’s roughly 270 million people had access to the Internet.
Improving Internet connectivity is seen as a step towards better access to health services and education as it facilitates real-time communication and reporting between regions.
Musk’s visit to Indonesia included his participation in the World Water Forum being held in Bali. He is scheduled to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo during the event.
The launch event was visually marked by Musk wearing a green shirt made of traditional Balinese woven fabric called “endek.”
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