Jakarta, INTI - PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN) stated that the operation of the Nusantara 5 Satellite is not the end of the Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite era in Indonesia. The increasingly dominant Starlink service, capturing 45% of the country's satellite-based connectivity market in the past two years, does not signal the end of GEO satellites.
Indonesia's challenging geographic characteristics are considered to still position GEO technology as a strong pillar of connectivity and offer a distinct competitive advantage over Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations.
PSN President Director, Adi Rahman Adiwongso, explained that GEO technology offers very high spatial resilience, capable of covering vast areas as long as a direct line of sight is maintained.
He stated that claims of absolute superiority of LEO satellites are not entirely accurate when faced with the realities of extreme topography on the ground, such as mountainous areas or plantations with natural physical obstacles.
PSN is Exploring LEO Satellite
Adi is optimistic that the GEO satellite market remains very strong in Indonesia. However, PSN is not turning a blind eye to developments in global innovation. PSN has also initiated research and development to enter the LEO satellite market niche, focusing on equatorial orbit.
This LEO expansion strategy is being implemented gradually without extensive publicity until the technology is truly ready for launch into space.
Regarding competition with Starlink and other global players in the LEO market, Adi expressed the readiness to compete openly. However, Adi made an important note regarding the importance of a healthy and fair competitive climate. If competition is fair, the local satellite industry is projected to survive and continue to grow.
Conversely, if the market is allowed to operate without equal regulatory control, the sustainability of domestic digital infrastructure investment will be threatened.
Conclusion
PSN emphasized that the presence of LEO satellite services like Starlink does not mark the end of GEO satellites' role in Indonesia. GEO satellites still have the advantage of covering wide areas and are better suited to difficult geographic conditions, such as mountainous areas and plantations. Although Starlink has captured approximately 45% of the national satellite connectivity market in the past two years, PSN remains optimistic about GEO's position in Indonesia market.
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