Can Starlink fly in Indonesia?

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Hello reader,

My dad owns quite a bit of farm land near our village. That’s how we ended up having a cool farmhouse surrounded by trees and animals.

When I joined Tech in Asia last year, I really wanted to set up my own office there since most of the team works remotely. But the signal on my mobile phone is so weak there, that thinking about getting broadband was just silly.

I really wished India had something like Starlink back then.

So, when I heard that Indonesia was getting the SpaceX-developed satellite network, I was excited. The country’s geography and demographics are so similar to India’s.

But there’s a catch. In Indonesia, the average monthly salary is between US$137 to US$325, and Starlink’s hardware costs US$487, not to mention the monthly charge of over US$47.

That’s what our Big Story is all about today, along with the other challenges Starlink might face in Indonesia.

Today we look at:

• Starlink facing an uphill battle in Indonesia’s internet market
• Turno from India raises US$6 million
• Other newsy highlights such as Kevin O’Leary looking to acquire TikTok as well as Apple entering Malaysia

Premium summary

Starlink’s Indonesian gambit

Image credit: Timmy Loen

Elon Musk’s Starlink has made its much-anticipated entry into Indonesia, promising to revolutionize internet access, particularly in remote areas. However, its path to dominance in Southeast Asia’s largest market is fraught with challenges.

• Market entry: Starlink partnered with Telkomsat in 2022 to provide internet to rural areas. The satellite network has now been licensed to serve the general population, officially making Indonesia its third Southeast Asian market entry.
• Not so affordable: Starlink’s high cost may limit its adoption in the country. The cheapest package is 3x higher than those of local internet service providers (ISPs), making it less accessible, especially in urban areas.
• Limited reach: Local ISPs are also not threatened by Starlink’s presence, especially in cities, as the service’s reach in those areas is limited.

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