The Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo) has been outspoken regarding the entry of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite into Indonesia. When does the Starlink satellite operate?
Spokesman for the Ministry of Communications and Informatics Dedy Permadi said Kominfo gave the landing rights for the Starlink Non-Geostationary Special Satellite (NGSO) to PT Telkom Satelit Indonesia (Telkomsat).
"The satellite anchoring rights only apply to backhaul services in the operation of Telkomsat's closed fixed network. Not for retail customer services with direct internet access by Starlink," said Dedy in a written statement, Monday (13/6/2022).
Telkomsat purchased the capacity of the Starlink satellite which will later be used for backhaul, serving customers or corporate users, not the general public.
For information, backhaul is a technology that facilitates data transfer from one telecommunications infrastructure to another. This technology can be used to support the provision of broadband internet services, especially 4G cellular, especially in rural areas that are not yet connected directly with fiber optic cables.
Kominfo did not explain in detail when this satellite was operational. However, what is certain is that the Starlink satellite service can only operate if the construction of the Gateway Station - Terrestrial Component to receive Starlink Satellite capacity services, as well as the processing of the Starlink Satellite Radio Station Permit (ISR) has been completed by Telkomsat.
"As the exclusive holder of the Starlink Satellite Anchoring Rights, Telkomsat is entitled to satellite backhaul services," he said.
Dedy emphasized that Telkomsat's operational use of Starlink services must comply with applicable regulations, including the fulfillment of anchoring rights obligations.
"The docking permit will be evaluated every year and can be extended based on the evaluation results and in accordance with the provisions of the applicable legislation," he concluded.