Kalimantan – Indonesian Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Budi Arie Setiadi conveyed that US-based Starlink is partnering with local internet providers to provide internet services in the New Capital City (IKN Nusantara).
The Minister said that Starlink plans to conduct trials in the IKN Nusantara region in May 2024.
"The testing schedule is planned for May. We'll just wait and see," the Minister said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Minister Setiadi further said that the trial is being conducted in the IKN Nusantara because Starlink's technology is satellite-based, requiring testing in areas with minimal telecommunications infrastructure.
Minister Budi Arie Setiadi
- Press Release
Therefore, the trial results can provide an accurate picture of the effectiveness and reliability of services in environments lacking adequate telecommunications infrastructure, such as in the IKN Nusantara.
After the trial runs smoothly and the company has fulfilled various requirements, Starlink services may be launched during the celebration of the Independence Day of Indonesia in August 2024 in the IKN Nusantara.
"If the trial goes well, and we issue the Operational Feasibility Test (ULO) and also fulfill all the laws and regulations applicable in Indonesia, we will allow Starlink to operate," Minister Setiadi remarked.
Earlier, the Director General of Post and Information Technology Services (Dirjen PPI) at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Wayan Tony Supriyanto stated that Starlink has started to fulfill permits to operate in Indonesia.
According to him, there are currently two permits applied for by Starlink in Indonesia, namely for the use of VSAT technology and a permit as a telecommunications service provider or Internet Service Provider (ISP).
"Starlink has two permits applied for, one for VSAT and the other for internet provision. For VSAT, they have already built the hub and all the equipment stations and have obtained permits from the SDPPI," he explained.
As for the permit as a telecommunications service provider, according to Supriyanto, it's still in the process of agreement.
Once all of that is fulfilled, Starlink Indonesia can then provide services to the public like other telecommunications providers in Indonesia.
