Syed Imran Haider 
On Sunday, the Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, and Elon Musk, launched the satellite internet service of SpaceX for the health sector of the country.
The aim is to improve access in remote locations of the archipelago. The head of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk had arrived in Bali via private jet.
However, he went to the provincial capital Denpasar from the Indonesian resort island. The billionaire attended the launch ceremony, which was conducted at a community health center.
The launch
Donning a green batik shirt, Musk said that Starlink’s availability in Indonesia would provide internet access to millions in the far-flung areas of the country.
There are more than 270 million people residing in Indonesia and three different time zones. Musk said that areas with low connectivity would now have better connectivity.
He added that access to the internet means people can learn anything. On Sunday, Starlink was launched at three health centers in Indonesia.
These include one in Maluku on a remote island called Aru, while the other two are in Bali. A video presentation was part of the launch ceremony.
It demonstrated how data can be input in real-time due to high internet speeds. This results in better tackling of health challenges, such as malnutrition and stunting.
The focus
Musk was also asked if he had any plans of investing in the electric vehicle industry in Indonesia. He responded that Starlink was his focus for now.
He said that the event was for Starlink and the benefits to remote islands due to the connectivity. Musk said that the goal was to show how internet connectivity can be a lifesaver.
For years, the government of Indonesia has been trying to lure Tesla, Musk’s auto company. They want it to set up manufacturing plants of electric vehicles.
The Indonesian government wants the country’s EV sector to develop with the use of the rich nickel resources it has.
The tech tycoon also met Joko Widodo, the Indonesian President on Monday. He also addressed the World Water Forum.
Starlink
Budi Arie Setiadi, the Communications Minister, was also in attendance at the launch ceremony in Bali. He said that Starlink was now commercially available in the country.
However, he added that the government’s aim was to focus on the underdeveloped and outer regions first.
Before the launch on Sunday, Starlink was operating as an internet service provider for retail consumers in the country.
According to the Communications Minister, it had also received the green light for providing networks and had gotten a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) permit.
There are a total of 7,500 satellites orbiting the earth and about 60% of them belong to Starlink. Therefore, it is not surprising that it dominates the satellite internet market.
Indonesia has now become the third Southeast Asian country where Starlink is available. Last year, the company had obtained a license to provide internet services in Malaysia.
In 2022, SpaceX had also signed a deal with a company based in the Philippines. Ukraine also uses Starlink extensively.
Businesses, organizations and hospitals in the country, along with the military, use Starlink’s services.
