Technology

Elon Musk Touches Down In Bali For Starlink Launch

Starlink is already available in Southeast Asia in Malaysia and the Philippines.


19th May 2024 11:05 AM

Tech billionaire, Elon Musk on Sunday landed on Indonesia's resort island of Bali where he aims to launch his Starlink service to extend the internet to remote areas of the country.

Millions of people in Indonesia, a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, are not currently hooked up to reliable internet services.

Musk, making his first visit to the Southeast Asian nation, is scheduled to launch Starlink alongside President Joko Widodo at a clinic in Bali's capital Denpasar on Sunday afternoon.

Briefing reporters, Maritime and Investment Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said Starlink "has the capability to reach even the most remote areas of Indonesia."

"I had the opportunity to pick up Elon at the airport this morning and then discuss some of his agenda items while he's here," the minister wrote on his official Instagram account.

"One of the key topics was the launch of the Starlink internet service."

According to Luhut, Musk will also speak at the World Water Forum, which is currently being held on the holiday island.

Starlink's services will be trialled this month in Indonesia's new capital Nusantara on the island of Borneo, which will open its doors in August, according to officials.