Heaptalk, Jakarta — The development of Direct-to-Cell technology by Ellon Musk’s Starlink obtained a response from the Indonesian Internet Services Provider Association (APJII). According to APJII’ s Chairman Muhammad Arif, when the technology arrives in Indonesia, it potentially destroys all telco services in the archipelago.
“If the technology reaches Direct-to-Cell, our entire upstream and downstream ecosystem can be diminished,” stated Arif, as cited in CNBC Indonesia (06/03).
He stated the technology is possibly implemented and only needs permission to obtain the frequency.
Arif added, “Thus, the decision is in the government’s hands, whether they will allow them to be here or not.”
From the Government’s side, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) stated it has monitored the global policy released by International Telecommunication Union (ITU) towards Starlink’s groundbreaking. The Directorate General of SDPPI, Kominfo, Ismail, stated that the Government will draft the new regulation when the global regulator allows it.
Moreover, he added, “Direct-to-Cell remains in the development process. The anticipation is to adopt the global standard released by ITU. When the policy is set globally, we can adopt it and adjust it to align with Indonesian interests,” stated Ismail, as cited in Bisnis Indonesia (06/04).
