DENPASAR, Indonesia: Elon Musk traveled to Bali on Sunday to announce the opening of Starlink satellite internet service for Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago nation.
Numerous Indonesian ministers stood alongside Musk during the announcement.
With a population of 270 million people, Indonesia is made up of 17,000 islands which encompasses three time zones.
In the past, Indonesia has sought satellite internet service from Musk, as internet is not available to many living in rural areas.
“This can make it really a lifesaver for remote medical clinics, and I think it could be a possibility for education as well,” Musk told reporters.
“If you can access the internet, then you can learn anything and you can also sell your business services worldwide. So, I think it’s going to be incredibly beneficial,” he said.
While in Indonesia Musk also signed an agreement for Starlink to provide expanded internet services to the country’s health and education sectors.
“Our remote regions need Starlink to expand high-speed internet services, especially to help with problems in the health, education and maritime sectors,” said Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.
In Indonesia, local internet providers are unable to offer services to more remote islands because they have limited coverage. However, Starlink’s satellites will deliver faster internet with nationwide coverage.
Regarding Starlink’s promise for Indonesian healthcare, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin noted that of the 10,000 clinics across the country, 2,700 remain without internet access.
“The internet can open up better access to health services, as communication between regions is said to be easier, so that reporting from health service facilities can be done in real time,” he said.
The administration of Indonesian President Joko Widodo has pushed for the development of digital technology and information sectors.
