DIGIVESTASI - The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kemenkominfo) has spoken out regarding the satellite internet service, Starlink, which can connect directly to users' mobile phones (direct to cell). Elon Musk is reportedly set to release this solution in the fall, or September 2024. The Minister of Communication and Information Technology (Menkominfo), Budi Arie Setiadi, stated that his office will continue to monitor and evaluate the direct to cell Starlink service if it enters Indonesia. "Starlink direct to cell is not yet available in Indonesia. The license is already in place. [In the future] we will just wait, monitor, and continuously evaluate," Budi said when met in Jakarta, Monday (3/6/2024).

The presence of Starlink satellites with direct to cell capabilities is feared to erode the local telecommunications market in Indonesia. The Indonesian Satellite Association (ASSI), for example, worries that Starlink direct to cell could threaten cellular operators because the service can connect directly to the internet without GSM.

"As we know, perhaps the commercial direct to device Starlink to mobile phones could come next year. That will be a threat to GSM operators, even though they operate in rural areas and cities as the second phase," said ASSI Secretary-General Sigit Jatiputro when met at the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) Building in Jakarta, Wednesday (29/5/2024). In line with this, the Indonesian Internet Service Providers Association (APJII) is also concerned that the Starlink direct to cell satellite service could impact the telecommunications ecosystem in Indonesia.

These concerns are not unfounded; satellites with direct to cell capabilities allow users to directly access their mobile phones, sending SMS and making calls without using a SIM card. APJII Chairman Muhammad Arif stated that currently, Starlink direct to cell services are in the trial stage in several countries. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, Arif explained that the direct to cell service would certainly require a new frequency allocation. However, Arif believes that the entry of Elon Musk's direct to cell technology into Indonesia depends on the government's decisions.

"If it comes to direct to cell, we could really be wiped out from upstream to downstream. Now, even the outskirts are frightened," Arif said when met in Jakarta, Friday (31/5/2024).

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