Indonesia and SpaceX Launch $540 Million Satellite Internet Project

With approximately two-thirds of Indonesia's 280 million population already using the internet, and a significant one-third still without access in its remote communities, Indonesia has undertaken an ambitious initiative that will close up that gap and transform the lives of millions in terms of internet connectivity.

To achieve this, the Indonesian government, in collaboration with Elon Musk's SpaceX, has undertaken a groundbreaking $540 million telecommunication satellite project launch aimed at bridging the digital divide across its vast archipelago.

The 4.5-tonne Satellite of the Republic of Indonesia (SATRIA-1), developed by Thales Alenia Space, was successfully deployed into orbit from Florida, United States using SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. This state-of-the-art satellite will occupy a strategic orbital slot above the eastern Papua region, bringing high-speed internet access to the previously underserved areas.

According to local media The Jarkata Post, the project is particularly focused on the underdeveloped eastern islands, which lack traditional fibre optic infrastructure and limited connectivity. Local satellite service provider PT Satelit Nusantara Tiga is said to oversee the internet service connectivity.

The SATRIA-1 satellite will boast an impressive throughput capacity of 150 gigabytes per second with an aim to connect 50,000 public service points. The project marks a significant milestone in Indonesia's journey towards digital inclusion and economic development in closing the digital divide and revolutionizing access to vital online services.