Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has launched the Starlink satellite internet service in Indonesia along with Indonesian health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin to support the country’s healthcare sector. The launch of the service aims to improve access in remote areas of the island nation.
Musk launched Starlink in three health centers across Indonesia, including two in Bali and one in the remote island of Aru in Maluku. A video presentation showcased how high-speed internet could facilitate real-time data input, significantly aiding in addressing health issues like stunting and malnutrition.
Despite ongoing efforts by the Indonesian government to attract Tesla’s investment in the country’s growing electric vehicle (EV) sector, Musk reiterated that his current focus is on Starlink.
Communications minister Budi Arie Setiadi, who was also present at the launch, highlighted that while Starlink is now commercially available in Indonesia, the initial focus will be on providing services to remote regions. Prior to this launch, Starlink had obtained the necessary permits to operate as an internet service provider for retail consumers and received a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) permit.
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Southeast Asia expansion
Indonesia is the third Southeast Asian nation to adopt Starlink, following Malaysia, which granted a license to SpaceX last year, and the Philippines, where a local firm signed a deal with SpaceX in 2022. Globally, Starlink dominates the satellite internet market, owning around 60 percent of the roughly 7,500 satellites orbiting Earth. Its services are extensively utilized in Ukraine by the military, hospitals, businesses and aid organizations.
Musk will meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday, where he will also address the World Water Forum in Bali. This meeting may potentially explore further collaborations and investments, including in Indonesia’s EV sector, leveraging the country’s abundant nickel resources.
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