Bali, 19 May 2024, (GNP): Elon Musk arrived on the Indonesian island of Bali on Sunday in preparation for the launch of SpaceX’s Starlink internet service. The Indonesian government expects this service to enhance internet access and improve healthcare in the remote regions of the vast archipelago.
Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan welcomed Musk’s arrival via private jet at Bali’s airport on Sunday morning. He mentioned in an Instagram post that they would discuss various significant collaborations, including the launch of Starlink.
He stated that providing equitable internet access throughout Southeast Asia’s largest economy, which is home to over 270 million people across three time zones, would ensure that individuals in remote regions have access to fast internet similar to those in urban areas.
According to Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi, the satellite division of Elon Musk’s SpaceX has already obtained official authorization to function within the boundaries of Southeast Asia’s most extensive economic landscape.
This confirmation, conveyed to Reuters last week, signifies that Starlink has been granted the necessary permit to function as an internet service provider for individual consumers.
Furthermore, it has been given clearance to establish networks, facilitated by the acquisition of a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) permit, as outlined by the minister during an interview.
Indonesia marks the third Southeast Asian nation where Starlink is set to operate. Preceding this, Malaysia granted the firm a license to deliver internet services in the previous year, while a Philippines-based company sealed a deal with SpaceX back in 2022.
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The Ukrainian government’s call for action from SpaceX highlights the geopolitical significance of satellite-based internet services in modern warfare scenarios. It underscores the importance of safeguarding communication channels from potential misuse or exploitation by adversarial forces, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to protect national security interests in the digital age.
