Asia's need for better internet access drives satellite technology development, but the region still struggles with infrastructure, especially in remote areas.
ByDarynaufal Mulyaman
January 2, 2025
photo: unsplash
Asia’s need for better internet access drives satellite technology development, but the region still struggles with infrastructure, especially in remote areas. This “digital divide” hinders economic and social progress in countries like South Korea and Indonesia. The development of satellite technology in Asia continues to increase in line with the need for wider and more equitable internet access. However, the region still faces significant challenges in terms of technological infrastructure, especially in remote areas that are not yet fully accessible by the internet. This digital divide is a major obstacle in optimizing the economic and social potential of Asian countries, including South Korea and Indonesia. Amid these conditions, South Korea appeared brave by launching the 425 satellite project. This satellite successfully orbited after being carried by Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket on December 23, 2024. Elon Musk is also the owner of the Starlink internet service. Against this background, this opinion aims to discuss Elon Musk’s influence on satellite governance in Asia on the investment and technology side, as well as its impact on Asian countries, such as South Korea and Indonesia.
In terms of investment, Asia is an attractive region for the technology sector, especially with the rapid growth of the digital economy. Elon Musk’s presence in this region not only has an impact on improving space services and internet accessibility but also on the technology investment sector which has the potential to provide an impetus for the development of digital infrastructure. SpaceX and Starlink offers an opportunity to accelerate the development of satellite technology in the region while strengthening the digital ecosystem through collaboration with local companies. The importance of strong infrastructure and technological innovation is also aligned with the 9th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which focus on sustainable industrial development, innovation, and infrastructure.
South Korea has taken a significant step with Project 425, a government initiative to launch five military reconnaissance satellites by 2025. These satellites will enhance surveillance capabilities, particularly in response to North Korean threats. SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, launched the first of these satellites on December 23, 2024, using its reliable and cost-effective Falcon 9 rockets. This partnership highlights the increasing use of commercial space launch providers and promotes international collaboration in science and technology, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
The partnership between South Korea and SpaceX exemplifies international collaboration in the space sector. Such collaborations are essential for sharing knowledge, reducing costs, and accelerating technological progress, aligning with SDG 9’s emphasis on promoting international cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. South Korea’s reliance on SpaceX for launch services reflects a growing trend of governments utilizing commercial space launch providers. This trend is transforming the space industry, making space access more affordable and accessible. The successful collaboration between South Korea and SpaceX on Project 425 could pave the way for future collaborations in other space-related projects, such as joint space exploration missions or the development of new space technologies.
The table summarizing the different perspectives on Elon Musk between the two countries is as follows,
Feature South Korea Indonesia
Primary Motivation National security Economic development and digital inclusion
Main Area of Collaboration SpaceX (launch services for Project 425) Starlink (internet connectivity) and potential Tesla (EV investment)
Emphasis Reliability, cost-effectiveness, advanced technology Investment, job creation, infrastructure development
Existing Infrastructure Advanced technological infrastructure Developing infrastructure
Overall Goal Enhance national security and technological capabilities Boost economic growth, improve connectivity, and promote sustainable development
After the story of South Korea, there is also another story from Indonesia. In Indonesia, Musk’s innovation is still limited to internet availability through the Starlink service. The Starlink service initiated by Elon Musk has emerged as a leading innovation in providing satellite-based internet access. Starlink is designed to reach areas that are difficult to reach by traditional internet infrastructure. Its existence in the Southeast Asian region can be an effective solution to overcome the problem of internet access, open up new opportunities for the development of satellite technology, and encourage digital-based economic growth in various countries, especially Indonesia.
Indonesia’s experience with Musk’s innovations is primarily focused on Starlink, his satellite internet service. Starlink offers a potential solution to Indonesia’s connectivity challenges, especially in remote areas. It could boost digital economic growth and improve access to essential services like education and healthcare. This aligns with SDG 9 by promoting inclusive and equitable connectivity.
Starlink, as a service that can accelerate internet access throughout Indonesia, can contribute to the achievement of this goal, especially in improving more inclusive and equitable connectivity. For Indonesia, the impact of Starlink’s presence is very potential. In addition to opening up new jobs in the technology and telecommunications sectors, increased access to the wider internet could bring about positive changes in important sectors such as education, healthcare, and business. Indonesia, as one of the countries with a relatively low level of internet access in the Southeast Asian region, can take advantage of the presence of Starlink to encourage digital transformation nationally.
However, the implementation of Starlink in Indonesia also faces various challenges. Policies, regulations, and readiness of local infrastructure are important issues that must be overcome so that these services can run optimally. In addition, the readiness of countries in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, to absorb this new technology needs to be the main concern so that the benefits can be felt to the maximum. Indonesia’s complex and fluid ecosystem as well as shady governance have caused Elon Musk’s innovations in Indonesia to appear different from what has been achieved between Elon Musk and South Korea. Starlink in Indonesia also does not seem to be welcomed in a friendly manner because it is feared that it can improve local connections and develop development wheels at the regional and even local levels in Indonesia, to remote areas such as outermost, frontier, and disadvantaged areas. It is evidenced by the Starlink ceremonial service which was later not reactivated and is based on individuals who use Starlink services.
In conclusion, Starlink’s implementation in Indonesia faces hurdles. Policy, regulation, existing infrastructure limitations, and the country’s capacity to adopt new technology are key challenges. There are also concerns that Starlink could bypass existing local providers and that its implementation has been inconsistent. Unlike the smooth collaboration between South Korea and SpaceX, Starlink’s introduction in Indonesia has faced resistance and uncertainty.
Darynaufal Mulyaman
Dary is an active lecturer at International Relations Study Program, Universitas Kristen Indonesia. He is currently the director of Center for Securities and Foreign Affairs Studies (CESFAS) at the university. His research interests include Korean studies, Asia Pacific region, third world, international development, cooperation, and political economy.
Asia’s need for better internet access drives satellite technology development, but the region still struggles with infrastructure, especially in remote areas. This “digital divide” hinders economic and social progress in countries like South Korea and Indonesia. The development of satellite technology in Asia continues to increase in line with the need for wider and more equitable internet access. However, the region still faces significant challenges in terms of technological infrastructure, especially in remote areas that are not yet fully accessible by the internet. This digital divide is a major obstacle in optimizing the economic and social potential of Asian countries, including South Korea and Indonesia. Amid these conditions, South Korea appeared brave by launching the 425 satellite project. This satellite successfully orbited after being carried by Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket on December 23, 2024. Elon Musk is also the owner of the Starlink internet service. Against this background, this opinion aims to discuss Elon Musk’s influence on satellite governance in Asia on the investment and technology side, as well as its impact on Asian countries, such as South Korea and Indonesia.
In terms of investment, Asia is an attractive region for the technology sector, especially with the rapid growth of the digital economy. Elon Musk’s presence in this region not only has an impact on improving space services and internet accessibility but also on the technology investment sector which has the potential to provide an impetus for the development of digital infrastructure. SpaceX and Starlink offers an opportunity to accelerate the development of satellite technology in the region while strengthening the digital ecosystem through collaboration with local companies. The importance of strong infrastructure and technological innovation is also aligned with the 9th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which focus on sustainable industrial development, innovation, and infrastructure.
South Korea has taken a significant step with Project 425, a government initiative to launch five military reconnaissance satellites by 2025. These satellites will enhance surveillance capabilities, particularly in response to North Korean threats. SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, launched the first of these satellites on December 23, 2024, using its reliable and cost-effective Falcon 9 rockets. This partnership highlights the increasing use of commercial space launch providers and promotes international collaboration in science and technology, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
The partnership between South Korea and SpaceX exemplifies international collaboration in the space sector. Such collaborations are essential for sharing knowledge, reducing costs, and accelerating technological progress, aligning with SDG 9’s emphasis on promoting international cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. South Korea’s reliance on SpaceX for launch services reflects a growing trend of governments utilizing commercial space launch providers. This trend is transforming the space industry, making space access more affordable and accessible. The successful collaboration between South Korea and SpaceX on Project 425 could pave the way for future collaborations in other space-related projects, such as joint space exploration missions or the development of new space technologies.
The table summarizing the different perspectives on Elon Musk between the two countries is as follows,
Feature South Korea Indonesia
Primary Motivation National security Economic development and digital inclusion
Main Area of Collaboration SpaceX (launch services for Project 425) Starlink (internet connectivity) and potential Tesla (EV investment)
Emphasis Reliability, cost-effectiveness, advanced technology Investment, job creation, infrastructure development
Existing Infrastructure Advanced technological infrastructure Developing infrastructure
Overall Goal Enhance national security and technological capabilities Boost economic growth, improve connectivity, and promote sustainable development
After the story of South Korea, there is also another story from Indonesia. In Indonesia, Musk’s innovation is still limited to internet availability through the Starlink service. The Starlink service initiated by Elon Musk has emerged as a leading innovation in providing satellite-based internet access. Starlink is designed to reach areas that are difficult to reach by traditional internet infrastructure. Its existence in the Southeast Asian region can be an effective solution to overcome the problem of internet access, open up new opportunities for the development of satellite technology, and encourage digital-based economic growth in various countries, especially Indonesia.
Indonesia’s experience with Musk’s innovations is primarily focused on Starlink, his satellite internet service. Starlink offers a potential solution to Indonesia’s connectivity challenges, especially in remote areas. It could boost digital economic growth and improve access to essential services like education and healthcare. This aligns with SDG 9 by promoting inclusive and equitable connectivity.
Starlink, as a service that can accelerate internet access throughout Indonesia, can contribute to the achievement of this goal, especially in improving more inclusive and equitable connectivity. For Indonesia, the impact of Starlink’s presence is very potential. In addition to opening up new jobs in the technology and telecommunications sectors, increased access to the wider internet could bring about positive changes in important sectors such as education, healthcare, and business. Indonesia, as one of the countries with a relatively low level of internet access in the Southeast Asian region, can take advantage of the presence of Starlink to encourage digital transformation nationally.
However, the implementation of Starlink in Indonesia also faces various challenges. Policies, regulations, and readiness of local infrastructure are important issues that must be overcome so that these services can run optimally. In addition, the readiness of countries in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, to absorb this new technology needs to be the main concern so that the benefits can be felt to the maximum. Indonesia’s complex and fluid ecosystem as well as shady governance have caused Elon Musk’s innovations in Indonesia to appear different from what has been achieved between Elon Musk and South Korea. Starlink in Indonesia also does not seem to be welcomed in a friendly manner because it is feared that it can improve local connections and develop development wheels at the regional and even local levels in Indonesia, to remote areas such as outermost, frontier, and disadvantaged areas. It is evidenced by the Starlink ceremonial service which was later not reactivated and is based on individuals who use Starlink services.
In conclusion, Starlink’s implementation in Indonesia faces hurdles. Policy, regulation, existing infrastructure limitations, and the country’s capacity to adopt new technology are key challenges. There are also concerns that Starlink could bypass existing local providers and that its implementation has been inconsistent. Unlike the smooth collaboration between South Korea and SpaceX, Starlink’s introduction in Indonesia has faced resistance and uncertainty.
Darynaufal Mulyaman
Dary is an active lecturer at International Relations Study Program, Universitas Kristen Indonesia. He is currently the director of Center for Securities and Foreign Affairs Studies (CESFAS) at the university. His research interests include Korean studies, Asia Pacific region, third world, international development, cooperation, and political economy.
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