Internet companies in Indonesia highlight the government’s steps in working with Elon Musk’s Starlink. Responding to this, Kominfo or the Ministry of Communication and Informatics said cellular operators could work together.
Previously the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan planned to work with Starlink to provide internet access in eastern Indonesia. Luhut emphasized that this service would target remote and underdeveloped villages.
In addition, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin is working with Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide internet access at Community Health Centers in disadvantaged, frontier and outermost areas, aka 3T.
Director General of Information and Public Communication of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics Usman Kansong explained, Starlink owned by Elon Musk as a foreign company must still comply with the provisions in force in Indonesia.
“Foreign companies wishing to operate in Indonesia have conditions,” Usman told Katadata.co.id, Wednesday (30/8).
There are three ways for Elon Musk’s Starlink to operate in Indonesia, namely:
Create a company with an office in Indonesia, employ local workers, and other things according to the rules Cooperate with domestic companies Acquisition of companies
“Those are the rules. The regulation was built and made to maintain fair playing field or equality in competition,” said Usman.
Starlink can work with local operators in Indonesia such as XL Axiata, Telkom, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, and Smartfren.
“Starlink is already operating at a certain level through collaboration with Telkomsat,” said Usman.
Previously, President Director and CEO of XL Axiata Dian Siswarini said the government must be a catalyst and ensure the sustainability of the telecommunications industry business.
“Playing field unbalanced. Maybe take care sustainability it’s been very difficult,” said Dian in a discussion session at the detikcom Leaders Forum: Direction of the Indonesian Telecommunications Industry in Jakarta, last week (24/8).
He assessed that international players such as Elon Musk would bring up new players which could result in cellular operators not getting playing of field or justice.
“It can be completely cleared,” said the CEO of XL Axiata.
Starlink Owned by Elon Musk Expands to Indonesia
Minister Luhut plans to provide internet access in eastern Indonesia with Starlink. Luhut emphasized that this service would target remote and underdeveloped villages.
“We see lots of villages that cannot be reached by internet networks. Therefore, we agreed with Elon for Starlink to enter eastern Indonesia,” Luhut said on his official social media account quoted two weeks ago (15/8).
Luhut conveyed that one of the considerations for using Starlink was the relatively lower service costs.
Luhut explained that the low cost of Starlink services was due to the technology used, namely the low orbit satellite. Luhut noted that Elon Musk’s Starlink has around 60 thousand small satellites in low orbit.
Minister Budi Gunadi also met with Elon Musk in the United States to explore potential cooperation regarding Starlink.
Through this collaboration, Starlink will provide internet access at the Indonesian Health Centers which are located in underdeveloped, frontier and outermost areas, alias 3T.
“This is our effort to ensure equal and equitable health services. Community health centers as the front line in creating a healthy community must ensure adequate infrastructure,” said Minister of Health Budi, in a press statement, three weeks ago (6/8).
According to data from the Ministry of Health, 2,200 out of a total of more than 10,000 health centers do not yet have internet access. Likewise with 11,100 auxiliary health centers.
2023-08-31 22:55:00
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