SpaceX's satellite internet service is launched in Indonesia by Elon Musk.
Elon Musk, the mega-wealthy CEO of SpaceX and Tesla (TSLA), set foot on the beautiful Indonesian island of Bali via his private jet. He then headed to the community health center in Denpasar's capital city to participate in the launch ceremony. Musk donned a green batik shirt for the occasion and expressed his excitement about bringing Starlink's internet service to parts of Indonesia that struggle with access. With its population of over 270 million spread across three distinct time zones, the country presented a significant opportunity for connection.
"I can't wait to provide internet access to places with limited connectivity." said Musk, "Having the internet available to you means you can learn anything you want."
Starlink services were activated at three Indonesian health centers on Sunday, with two in Bali and one on the remote island of Aru in Maluku. A demonstration video showcased how rapid internet speeds made real-time data input crucial in tackling public health issues such as stunting and malnutrition.
When questioned about potentially investing in Indonesia's electric vehicle (EV) industry, Musk clarified that his priority was Starlink.
"Today's event is all about Starlink and the potential Starlink connectivity can bring to remote islands," he explained, "The day will be focused on emphasizing the importance of access to the internet."
The Indonesian government has long been trying to entice Musk's company, Tesla, to establish manufacturing plants in their country as they aim to advance their EV industry using their abundant supply of nickel resources.
Musk will be meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday and he'll also deliver a speech at the World Water Forum held on Bali.
Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi, who was at the Bali launch event, revealed that Starlink is now commercially available while the government's primary focus for the service will be underserved and remote regions.
Prior to the Sunday launch, Starlink received authorization to function as a retail internet service provider and gained approval for building networks. Budi Setiadi shared this information with Reuters.
Owning approximately 60% of the satellite constellation with around 7,500 satellites orbiting the earth, SpaceX's Starlink reigns supreme in the satellite internet realm.
Indonesia now becomes the third country in Southeast Asia in which Starlink operates. Starlink secured a license to provide internet services in Malaysia last year, and a deal with a Philippines-based firm was also completed in 2022. Additionally, Starlink is heavily utilized in Ukraine, where it serves the military, hospitals, businesses, and humanitarian organizations.
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Musk further discussed the business potential of Starlink in Indonesia, stating, "The market here for affordable, high-speed internet is enormous. It's a significant opportunity for tech business growth."
Given the country's tech-savvy youth and the need for improved digital infrastructure, there's a high likelihood of business success for Starlink in Indonesia.
Source: edition.cnn.com
