Elon Musk arrived in Bali to launch Starlink satellite internet service in Indonesia. Musk, the billionaire behind Tesla and SpaceX, is set to launch the service alongside Indonesian President Joko Widodo. The agreement aims to enhance connectivity in the country’s health and education sectors. Indonesia, a vast archipelago with remote regions that need high-speed internet access, will benefit from the service, particularly in health, education, and maritime sectors.
Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, welcomed Musk and highlighted the importance of providing affordable access to high-speed internet services in underserved areas. The country’s Communication and Informatics Minister mentioned that local internet providers have limited coverage in outer islands due to the use of base transceiver stations, but Starlink’s satellites in low orbit will allow faster internet speeds with nationwide coverage. Musk’s visit coincides with his participation in the 10th World Water Forum, focusing on global water and sanitation challenges.
In recent weeks, other tech giants like Apple and Microsoft have also shown interest in investing in Indonesia. Apple CEO Tim Cook met with President Widodo and expressed interest in manufacturing in the country, while Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed plans to invest $1.7 billion in cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure. Indonesia, under Widodo’s leadership, has been promoting the development of the digital technology and information sectors to achieve its Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision of becoming one of the world’s top five economies with a GDP of up to $9 trillion by 2045.
Musk’s visit to Bali comes after his participation in the B-20 business forum and a summit with G-20 economies. He joined the forum by video link after completing a takeover of Twitter. The visit demonstrates Musk’s interest in expanding his company’s presence in Indonesia and supporting the country’s digital development initiatives. With Starlink’s launch in Indonesia, remote regions will have access to high-speed internet services, benefiting sectors like health, education, and maritime activities. Overall, the collaboration between SpaceX and the Indonesian government aims to improve connectivity and drive economic growth in the country.
Indonesia, with its 17,000 islands and a population of over 270 million, faces connectivity challenges in reaching remote areas with high-speed internet services. The partnership between Musk’s SpaceX and the Indonesian government through the launch of Starlink satellite internet services in Bali aims to address these challenges and provide better connectivity to underserved regions. With technology giants like Apple and Microsoft also showing interest in Indonesia’s digital development, the country is positioning itself as a hub for innovation and technological advancements. Musk’s presence in Bali for the launch of Starlink highlights the importance of expanding internet access in remote regions to drive socio-economic development and improve the quality of life for Indonesians.