Elon Musk’s Starlink: Threat or Opportunity for Local ISPs?
Jakarta — Starlink has officially entered the Indonesian market, bringing high-speed satellite internet to the country. The arrival of Elon Musk’s Starlink has been met with enthusiasm from various quarters. However, a question arises: Will this be a threat to local internet service providers (ISPs) or will it open up opportunities for beneficial collaboration?
In the latest episode of the ION Network podcast (May 22, 2024), Rimba Laut spoke with Ricky Simanjuntak (Director of ION Network) to discuss this dynamic. Ricky Simanjuntak welcomed Starlink’s entry. “Welcome to Starlink, entering the competition in Indonesia. This marks the presence of Starlink internet, which can be a profitable opportunity for other internet service providers,” he said.
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Ricky Simanjuntak explained that competition in the ISP world is very tight. With over 1,045 registered internet service providers, ION Network continues to innovate to stay relevant and competitive. “We are building a network that currently reaches over 28,000 km, from Java to Bali, and is now expanding to Sumatra,” he said.
ION Network is expanding its network, especially to areas that have not yet been reached by the internet. “Our current concentration is still in Java, but we are already active in Sumatra, such as in Bangka and Medan, with a backbound network via sea directly to Singapore,” added Ricky.
Regarding potential collaboration with Starlink, Ricky Simanjuntak is open to the possibility. “If there is an opportunity to collaborate, we are ready. Starlink focuses on satellite internet, while we focus on cable. This could be a good synergy, especially for areas that are difficult to reach by cable,” he explained.
On the other hand, Ricky Simanjuntak highlighted the importance of complying with government regulations to avoid illegal practices. “The government has cracked down on 150 illegal internet service providers. As ISP entrepreneurs, we must follow the applicable rules and provide the best service to the community,” he stressed.
Ricky Simanjuntak also shared ION Network’s long-term vision. “We want to provide better internet solutions for the Indonesian people, with a target of expanding to Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan in the next few years,” he said.
As an entrepreneur, Ricky Simanjuntak (Director of ION Network) revealed his life’s purpose: “To give the best for employees, business partners, and society. My life must be meaningful to many people and be a blessing to God and others,” he concluded.
This concludes this interesting discussion on the ION Podcast. Stay tuned for the next episode for more in-depth information and discussion about technology and innovation. Thank you and see you soon.
For the full interview, you can watch it on the ION Network Youtube channel or through the Youtube link below.
