DIGIVESTASI - When choosing an Internet service provider (ISP), users can choose to use cable Internet or satellite Internet. In Indonesia, cable internet is the more popular choice as it was available earlier, such as the cable internet services provided by IndiHome, Biznet, First Media, etc. provide. 

However, satellite Internet is now available in Indonesia with Elon Musk's Starlink. Starlink can already be tested in Indonesia from early May 2024. As the name suggests, wired Internet is an Internet network that uses cables for data transmission purposes, such as fiber optic cable, coaxial cable, and copper cable for digital cable Internet (DSL) subscription services.

Satellite Internet, on the other hand, detects signals from orbiting satellites that transmit radio waves to Earth. These satellites then help transmit data to and from the Network Operations Center (NOC), where network managers monitor the network. 

Besides the way data is transmitted, here are some other differences between satellite internet and cable internet. Learn the differences between satellite internet and cable internet below. 

1. Data transmission 

In more detail, wired internet is transmitted through underground coaxial cables, using copper inside and insulated to transmit data. Cable TV signals also use similar cables to transmit data. Coaxial cables transmit data much faster than the telephone lines that dial-up connections use. However, fiber optic cables are faster than coaxial cables.

Satellite Internet connections, on the other hand, are not transmitted through cables but through radio waves as they are transmitted from satellites orbiting the Earth. Therefore, satellite Internet connections may be affected by climate or weather factors. Antennas placed in the user's area can receive the signal and then transmit it to the user's modem. This signal is then converted into a ready-to-use Internet connection. In case of bad weather, interference may occur during satellite signal transmission. 

2. Internet speed 
A wired Internet connection is much faster than satellite Internet. However, satellite Internet is fast enough to fulfill everyday needs, such as Internet browsing. However, satellite Internet has a disadvantage in terms of latency. Satellite Internet cannot provide low latency compared to cable or fiber Internet because satellite Internet signals travel longer distances.
 

Due to high latency, there will be a slight delay when the user issues a command and receives the result. For example, when playing a shooting game like Valorant, there will be a lag, such as when you shoot an enemy. Most satellite Internet connections provide speeds between 25 Mbps and 150 Mbps, while wired Internet can provide speeds of up to 2,000 Mbps (2 TB). Starlink alone offers speeds of 25 to 200 Mbps.

According to one Starlink user in Indonesia, Indra, speeds can reach 300-400 Mbps. These observations can be seen in this article. In some cases, the minimum cable Internet speed may be faster than a satellite Internet connection. Coaxial cable for wired Internet can also transmit data faster than satellite.

3. Internet installation 
Most satellite Internet subscriptions including Starlink in Indonesia do not include product installation. Starlink users must install the equipment and lay the cables themselves. Starlink devices should be placed in a location with a clear view of the sky, such as the roof of a house.
 

This can be a challenge for people with limited space, such as apartments that sometimes have no yard or roof. If there is interference between the antenna and the sky, the received signal may not be maximized. In contrast, wired Internet installation in Indonesia is usually done for free by the provider's technicians. 

4. Price 
Cable Internet is cheaper than satellite Internet. In addition, users can also purchase packages that include Internet and TV services. However, the disadvantage of cable Internet lies in the subscription packages, providers, and prices which are not standardized and thus vary between countries.

Satellite Internet is more expensive than cable Internet. However, as mentioned, this is because satellite Internet is quite convenient, requiring only a clear view of the sky. The initial price of a Starlink device starts at Rp 7.8 million. Then the monthly subscription price is around Rp 750,000.

If you look closely, you might have to pay Rp 750,000 in Indonesia to subscribe to cable broadband Internet. Or more extreme, for that fee, a user can subscribe to two ISPs in his home, one as a backup in case the other one goes down.
 

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