Elon Musk Launches Starlink Satellite Internet Service in Indonesia, Associated Press

Elon Musk Launches Starlink Internet Service in Indonesia

DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) — Elon Musk made a special trip to Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on Sunday to launch the Starlink satellite internet service in the world’s largest archipelago nation.

The billionaire entrepreneur, known for his ventures in Tesla and SpaceX, arrived in Bali wearing a green Batik shirt and was warmly welcomed at a community health clinic in Denpasar, where he officially introduced the Starlink service alongside Indonesian ministers.

Indonesia, with its vast expanse of 17,000 islands and a population exceeding 270 million, has long been seeking partnerships with Musk’s companies for investments in battery technology and providing high-speed internet to remote areas.

During the launch event, Musk conducted a speed test of the Starlink internet service with health workers in Indonesia’s remote regions, emphasizing the potential benefits for healthcare and education sectors.

“This can make it really a lifesaver for remote medical clinics, and I think it could be a possibility for education as well,” Musk expressed to reporters. “If you can access the internet, you can learn anything and also sell your business services worldwide. So, I think it’s going to be incredibly beneficial.”

An agreement was also signed to enhance connectivity in the country’s health and education sectors, although specific details were not disclosed.

The initiative to launch the service at a health clinic aligns with Starlink’s mission of providing affordable high-speed internet access, particularly in underserved and remote regions, according to Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

Indonesia’s Communication and Informatics Minister highlighted the limitations of local internet providers in reaching outer islands, citing the potential of Starlink’s satellite technology to deliver faster internet with nationwide coverage.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized the importance of internet access for health services, noting that a significant number of clinics in the country still lack connectivity.

Musk’s visit to Bali coincides with his participation in the 10th World Water Forum, where global water and sanitation challenges are being addressed.

The tech mogul’s presence in Indonesia follows recent visits by other industry leaders, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, signaling growing interest in the country’s digital technology and information sectors.

Indonesia, under President Joko Widodo’s leadership, has been actively promoting the development of these sectors as part of its Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision to become one of the world’s top economies by 2045.

Musk’s engagement in Indonesia reflects the country’s strategic importance in the global tech landscape and highlights the potential for further collaboration in advancing digital innovation and connectivity.

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Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.