Smartfren collaborates with Telkomsat to utilize Starlink satellite-based connectivity which operates in low orbit and is capable of providing stable latency below 100 ms.
Heaptalk, Jakarta — Telco service provider in Indonesia Smartfren Telecom is expanding its portfolio through satellite-based services to meet business needs in frontier, outermost, and least developed (3T) areas in Indonesia as reported by Kontan.
This expansion was realized through Smartfren Business in collaboration with Telkomsat, a subsidiary of the Telkom Group by leveraging Starlink’s non-geostationary satellites operating in low earth orbit (LEO).
The addition of this service aims to complement the Smartfren Business technology portfolio for companies in areas that are not yet covered by other telecommunications infrastructure. Currently, there are several customers who have used Starlink satellite-based services, including plantation or mining companies in Papua and Kalimantan.
According to Chief Enterprises Business Officer of Smartfren Business Alim Gunadi, the company sees high demand for connectivity by industries operating in the 3T area. However, currently, this demand cannot be met through fiber optic-based connectivity.
“Smartfren Business then collaborated with Telkomsat to utilize Starlink’s satellite connectivity to meet these needs. We hope that satellite connectivity combined with Smartfren Business’s various solutions can open up opportunities to gain market share there,” said Alim as quoted by Kontan (09/15).
Alim further conveyed that Starlink can provide connectivity with lower latency. Thus, users can experience smoother communication. As a comparison, Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology provides latency of 700-600 ms, while Starlink is able to provide stable latency below 100 ms.
Stable low latency will certainly influence the user experience in the 3T area, including in operating monitoring devices remotely, sending text or video messages, and other needs. Currently, Smartfren as part of Sinarmas Group operates more than 45,000 4G base transceiver stations (BTS) spread across 288 cities throughout Indonesia.
