Minister of Communication and Information Says Starlink Will Trial at IKN, Starts Applying for Licensing

Liputan6.com, Jakarta – Minister of Communication and Information (Minister of Communication and Information) Budi Arie Setiadi revealed plans for testing the Starlink internet service in Indonesia. This was confirmed after the satellite internet service applied for licensing.

According to the Minister of Communication and Information, Starlink has now applied for licensing as a VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) and ISP (Internet Service Provider) service provider with the Ministry of Communication and Information.

“At IKN (Starlink) we will carry out trials and work on the time table (Starlink trials at IKN),” said the Minister of Communication and Information when meeting with media crew.

Even though he has applied for a permit, the Minister of Communication and Information emphasized that Starlink still needs to comply with existing regulations in Indonesia. However, what is certain is that the government is opening up opportunities for telecommunications companies, both national and global, to invest in and develop the digital ecosystem in Indonesia.

Questioning that Starlink's presence threatens existing operators, Budi Arie said that he still has to see future developments.

“Well, we'll see, what's clear is that business must be fair, level playing fieldit has to be fair. “Everyone must follow existing regulations,” he said.

When met on the same occasion, the Director of Post and Informatics Operations at the Ministry of Communication and Information, Wayan Toni Supriyanto, said that as part of the operational licensing process, Starlink satellite internet had built a hub and met the equipment standards of the Directorate General of SDPPI.

“So, they probably already have comply for VSAT. “For the internet (ISP), he has to collaborate with NAP (Network Access Provider), maybe his collaboration work hasn't been completed yet,” Wayan explained.

Wayan further said that the Starlink permit would later be national. However, he said, Starlink Indonesia is different from the global ones.

“They are global, just Starlink. Starlink Indonesia holds VSAT and ISP permits. So, later it will be like other providers in Indonesia. They buy their devices and internet from Starlink global, so they have to build a hub here,” said Wayan.