SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet division is setting its sights on Indonesia, filing an application with the government to acquire an internet service provider (ISP) license to expand its global connectivity footprint in Southeast Asia.
Indonesia, with a population exceeding 270 million, presents a significant market opportunity for Starlink’s expansion, particularly in remote and underserved areas. The application for an ISP license was confirmed by the Indonesian Ministry of Communications on Thursday with Reuters.
The Ministry emphasized the importance of maintaining a fair and competitive market with Starlink’s entry. SpaceX will trial the Starlink service in Nusantara, Indonesia’s futuristic capital city under construction on the island of Borneo.
This trial represents a crucial step towards integrating satellite internet technology with the development of smart cities, potentially setting a precedent for future urban planning.
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Starlink has already laid significant groundwork in Southeast Asia. It has secured an ISP license in Malaysia, aiming to connect remote locations including schools and higher education establishments, and launched its service in the Philippines, another island nation where satellite communications offer a vital link to remote areas.
The company’s expansion in Indonesia, therefore, is part of a larger strategy to address the connectivity needs of Southeast Asia’s diverse and sprawling geography.
