Elon Musk and Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin launched SpaceX's Starlink satellite on Sunday to enhance healthcare access in remote areas of Indonesia.
The billionaire leader of SpaceX and Tesla flew to the Indonesian resort island of Bali by private jet before joining the launch ceremony at a community health center in Denpasar.
Musk arrived wearing a green batik shirt, with Chief Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan greeting him at Bali's airport, looking forward to discussions on significant collaborations, including the launch of Starlink, as posted on his Instagram page.
Starlink Launching in Indonesia
The availability of the Starlink service in Indonesia would facilitate internet access for millions in remote areas of the country. According to Musk, Indonesia benefits greatly from improved connectivity, with over 270 million inhabitants across three time zones. He expressed his enthusiasm for providing internet access to underserved regions, highlighting the transformative power of online learning.
On Sunday, Starlink was deployed at Indonesian health centers, two of which are situated in Bali and another on the remote island of Aru in Maluku. During the launch event, a video presentation demonstrated how high-speed internet facilitated real-time data input to address health issues like stunting and malnutrition.
Starlink Focusing on Connectivity Rather Than EV Proposals
Indonesia's government has been trying to attract Musk's auto company, Tesla, for years to establish manufacturing plants for electric vehicles as it aims to leverage the country's abundant nickel resources to develop its EV sector. However, Musk emphasized his current focus on Starlink and its benefits for remote islands, highlighting the importance of internet connectivity and its potential to save lives.
The tech mogul is set to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday and will also speak at the World Water Forum being held on the island.
At the Bali launch, Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi stated that Starlink is now commercially available. However, the government's priority is initially providing services to remote and underdeveloped regions. Before Sunday's launch, Starlink secured a permit to function as an internet service provider for retail consumers and had received approval to establish networks, having obtained a permit for very small aperture terminal (VSAT) operations, according to Budi Setiadi speaking to Reuters.
SpaceX's Starlink Worldwide Domination
SpaceX's Starlink, which possesses around 60% of the approximately 7,500 satellites orbiting Earth, dominates the satellite internet industry.
Malaysia granted the firm a license to offer internet services last year. In 2022, a Philippine-based company signed a deal with SpaceX, marking Indonesia as the third Southeast Asian country where Starlink will operate.
Starlink, also widely utilized in Ukraine, serving the military, hospitals, businesses, and aid organizations, was also urged in February to prevent Russia from using Starlink terminals in areas occupied by Moscow's troops.
