In Indonesia, Starlink Only Serves Telkomsat Closed Network, Not For Retail Internet

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Communication and Information, Deddy Permadi. (photo: doc. between )

JAKARTA – The plan for the Starlink satellite belonging to the United States company, SpaceX, which is allowed to dock specifically in Indonesia, apparently only serves the closed fixed network of PT Telkom Satellite Indonesia (Telkomsat). According to the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo) the internet network of Elon Musk's company does not serve the general public.

"The Ministry of Communications and Informatics has granted the Starlink Special Non-Geostationary Satellite Anchoring Rights (NGSO) to PT Telkom Satelit Indonesia (Telkomsat). The Satellite anchoring rights only apply to backhaul services in the operation of a closed fixed network of PT. Telkom Satelit Indonesia, not to retail customer access services. directly by Space Exploration Technologies Corp (STARLINK)," said Dedy in his short message to Antara, Sunday night, June 12.

Backhaul served by Starlink is a technology that facilitates data transfer from one telecommunications infrastructure to another.

This technology can be used to support the provision of broadband internet services, especially 4G cellular networks, especially in rural areas that are not yet connected directly with fiber optic cables.

Dedy also stated that the Starlink satellite service can only operate if the construction of the Gateway Station - Terrestrial Component to receive the Starlink Satellite capacity service and the processing of the Starlink Satellite Radio Station Permit (ISR) has been completed by Telkomsat.

"As the exclusive holder of the Starlink Satellite Anchoring Rights, Telkomsat is entitled to satellite backhaul services," said Dedy.

Dedy also ensured that Telkomsat's operational use of Starlink services must comply with applicable regulations in Indonesia, including the fulfillment of anchoring rights obligations.

The anchorage permit will be evaluated annually and can be extended based on the evaluation results and in accordance with the provisions of the applicable laws and regulations.

He added that currently bilateral trade relations in the telecommunications and digital sectors between Indonesia and the United States are growing rapidly.

The cooperation between the two countries also includes Indonesia's plan to have three new generation satellites consisting of 150 GB Very High Throughput Satellite (VHTS) named SATRIA (Ka-Band), 80 GB Very High Throughput Satellite (VHTS) as Hot Backup Satellite (Ka Band). -band), and 32 GB High Throughput Satellite (HTS) owned by Telkomsat (C & Ku-band).

"The three satellites are planned to use SpaceX - Falcon 9 rocket launchers and are a type of satellite that orbits in Geo-stationary Orbit," concluded Dedy.

Starlink itself is currently operating in several. For example in India to help provide internet in remote areas there. Starlink also helps provide internet in Ukraine, which is at war with Russia and its internet infrastructure is damaged.

In Indonesia itself actually has many remote areas that cannot be reached by the internet. However, the government does not seem to have opened up opportunities for Starlink to open internet lines in remote areas of the country.