Heaptalk, Jakarta — The launch of Elon Musk’s Starlink, which is marked by a trial at the Sumerta Kelod Community Health Center, Bali, has captivated the attention of diverse parties, one of which is the association that oversees several internet service providers in the archipelago, Indonesia’s Association of Internet Service Providers (APJII).
The Chairman of APJII, Muhammad Arif, highlighted several main concerns, such as the need for the government to review the Operational Eligibility Test (ULO) certification devoted to Starlink, which was deemed to lack transparency and did not involve local stakeholders.
As is known, SpaceX’s satellite Starlink has been operating in Indonesia and obtained ULO permission. Nevertheless, Arif questioned the existence of its Network Operating Center (NOC) as one of the essential requirements for carrying out a feasibility test from the Ministry of Communication and Informatics.
“The Ministry previously encouraged Elon Musk’s Starlink to construct an operating center in the country. However, based on my observation, the NOC facility should exist before when an entity wants to hold a ULO. The rapid certification process for Starlink also increasingly triggers discriminative presumption,” Arif said in his further statement.
Additionally, the controversy is getting worse as the Chairman of APJII discovered an allegation that Starlink was illegally entering the market because the presence of the device did not pass an adequate standardization process from the relevant authorities.
“The large amount of Starlink receiver devices discovered in marketplaces raises questions regarding their security and legality, worried to impact the internet service ecosystem in Indonesia negatively,” Arif explained.
With the existing issues, APJII urges the government to take several considerations to review Starlink operations in Indonesia, covering:
- Representing local ISPs, APJII hopes the government will freeze Starlink’s direct sales (retail) permits before issuing vivid regulations.
- The government is expected to recapitulate discussions and reconsider decisions regarding Starlink licensing, operational coverage area distribution, and licensing transparency, taking into account input from all local stakeholders.
- Indonesia’s government should take wise steps to maintain balance in the Indonesian telecommunications industry so that the public can experience it safely.
- Termination of the collection of Universal Service Obligation (USO) Usage Rights Fees (BHP) if the government fails to regulate competition and maintain the health of the telecommunications industry.
“We emphasized that the country’s telecommunications industry welfare is a shared responsibility in today’s era, whereby data has become the most valuable asset. For this reason, we look forward to the government and stakeholders will retain Indonesia’s telecommunications sector sustainability and independence,” Arif affirmed, during the virtual press conference.
