Coordinating Ministry: Satellites a Strategic Necessity for Indonesian Telecommunications

The Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs (Kemenko Polkam) has assessed that satellites are no longer just a support but have become a strategic necessity to support the equitable distribution of telecommunication networks in Indonesia. Deputy for Communication and Information Coordination at Kemenko Polkam, Eko Dono Indarto, stated that Indonesia’s geographical condition, comprising more than 17,000 islands, makes satellites a vital component in national connectivity development. “This geographical and demographic condition makes satellites not just an option but a strategic necessity for all of us living in Indonesia,” Eko said at a national seminar and workshop in Jakarta on Thursday. According to him, the paradigm that has so far placed satellites merely as a complement to cellular networks needs to change in line with the development of telecommunication technology towards the 6G era. Eko explained that in the future, the telecommunications ecosystem will integrate fibre optic networks, cellular, WiFi, satellites, High Altitude Platforms, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence into a single unified system. This development will allow future telecommunication devices not only to connect with Base Transceiver Systems (BTS) but also to communicate directly with satellites. Eko noted that the government has already laid several foundations to strengthen national connectivity, ranging from the Palapa Ring fibre optic network to the multifunctional SATRIA-1 satellite. In addition, the government continues to expand 5G implementation, build a National Data Centre, and accelerate government digital transformation as part of strengthening the national digital ecosystem. However, Eko acknowledged that several challenges remain, including the digital divide between regions, the need for substantial infrastructure investment, spectrum usage harmonisation, cybersecurity threats, and dependence on foreign technology. He stressed that the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision requires an integrated, secure, inclusive, resilient, and sovereign digital ecosystem, supported by the optimal utilisation of satellites and digital infrastructure. “Satellites are no longer just communication infrastructure; they are instruments for equitable development, national resilience, and disaster mitigation, as well as a source of state presence to reach the outermost regions that are still underserved,” he stated.