The Starlink satellite enters Indonesia through a cooperation route with Telkomsat to provide a closed fixed network. What is a closed fixed network?
A closed fixed network is a network operation that provides a network for rent. In this context, Telkomsat leases the capacity of Elon Musk's satellite which will later be leased back to Telkomsat customers.
According to IndoTelko Forum Founder Doni Ismanto, the collaboration between Starlink and Telkomsat is Business to Business (B2B), which Telkomsat will also implement a similar scheme for its users.
"More to B2B, closed fixed networks are customers, not retail. Not for person A, person B, or going home, but B2B for the corporate segment," said Doni, Friday (10/6/2022).
"For example, Telkomsat has bank customers in a province, there is no cellular BTS (base transceiver station) network, but it requires an internet connection, now the link from Starlink, which is rented by Telkomsat, is to provide a network in that area. that appears on the screen is not Starlink, but from Telkomsat, like that," he said.
Doni said, cooperation with Starlink, which incidentally is a global company, must cooperate with local partners. And, Kominfo provides landing rights if it is in accordance with applicable regulations.
"If you don't cooperate with local partners, it's dangerous, such as happenings abroad. Meanwhile, by cooperating with local partners, the government shows the state's representation by being able to collect taxes or other obligations through its partners," said Doni.
Thus, this Starlink satellite is not intended for retail customers or the general public. Only Telkomsat corporate customers have so far been able to experience this service.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Kominfo) has granted a Non-Geostationary Special Satellite Anchoring Rights (NGSO) to PT Telkom Satelit Indonesia (Telkomsat) as a back haul corporate user in the operation of the closed fixed network of Starlink satellites, not for retail services for customers with direct Internet access to Starlink.
To obtain the landing rights or landing rights from the Communications and Informatics, they must meet the requirements stipulated by law, including reciprocal rights and will be evaluated every year.
"Starlink can only operate if the gateway station has been built by Telkomsat. The gateway station is entirely an investment and belongs to Telkomsat," said Minister of Communication and Information Johnny G. Plate.
"Without the Telkomsat gateway station, the Starlink satellite cannot function to serve Telkomsat backhaul. The anchoring rights are also exclusive only to Telkomsat for services for Telkom Group backhaul needs," he concluded.