- SpaceX’s Starlink launches in Indonesia, focusing on connecting remote health clinics.
- Starlink aims to tackle health issues by enabling real-time data input.
- The service now operates in 99 countries, including Ukraine and Fiji.
SpaceX has officially launched its satellite internet service, Starlink, in Indonesia, initially focusing on the country’s medical sector.
The launch ceremony, held in Denpasar, Bali, was attended by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.
Starlink aims to extend internet accessibility in remote areas of Indonesia, enabling real-time data input and supporting the government’s efforts to tackle health issues such as stunting and malnutrition.
Starlink’s medical mission: healing the underserved
Indonesia currently has 10,000 health clinics, but approximately 2,700 of them remain underserved by local internet providers.
Starlink has been introduced at two health centers in Bali and one on Aru Island, one of the country’s outermost islands.
Musk expressed that the service has the potential to enhance Indonesia’s education and business sectors in addition to its primary focus on healthcare.
From tropical paradise to war-torn regions
Starlink currently controls about 60% of the roughly 7,500 satellites orbiting the Earth. In addition to Indonesia, the service operates in two other Southeast Asian countries: Malaysia and the Philippines.
In Ukraine, Starlink has been extensively used by the military, hospitals, businesses, and aid organizations. The company also announced that it has expanded its reach to Fiji, marking its 99th supported country.
To read the original article: https://www.techinasia.com/spacexs-starlink-starts-service-indonesia-aims-alleviate-health-issues
