Musk launches spaceX internet in Indonesia
Elon Musk and Indonesian Health Minister Launch Starlink Internet Service
Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, second from left, and Elon Musk, second from right, signed an agreement to enhance connectivity at a public health center in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, on May 19, 2024.
Elon Musk and Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin launched SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink, on Sunday, aiming to enhance connectivity in remote areas of the vast archipelago. Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, arrived in Bali by private jet for the launch ceremony held at a community health center in Denpasar.
Dressed in a green batik shirt, Musk highlighted the potential of Starlink to provide internet access to millions in Indonesia, a nation of over 270 million people spread across three time zones. “I’m very excited to bring connectivity to places that have low connectivity,” Musk said. “If you have access to the internet, you can learn anything.”
The service was launched at three health centers, including two in Bali and one on the remote island of Aru in Maluku. A video presentation at the event demonstrated how high-speed internet can improve real-time data input to address health issues like stunting and malnutrition.
While Musk expressed his focus on Starlink, he did not dismiss the possibility of future investments in Indonesia’s electric vehicle industry. “We are focusing this event on Starlink and the benefits that connectivity brings to remote islands,” he said.
Indonesia has been keen to attract Tesla to build EV manufacturing plants, leveraging the country’s abundant nickel resources. Musk is scheduled to meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Monday and will also speak at the World Water Forum in Bali.
Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi announced that Starlink is now commercially available, with initial services targeting underdeveloped regions. Starlink recently obtained a permit to operate as an internet service provider for retail consumers in Indonesia.
SpaceX’s Starlink, which operates about 60% of the 7,500 satellites orbiting Earth, dominates the satellite internet market. Indonesia is the third Southeast Asian country to adopt Starlink, following Malaysia and the Philippines.
Starlink is widely used in Ukraine by the military, hospitals, businesses, and aid organizations.
