Indonesia Orders Starlink, LEO Operators to Comply with Local Rules

(MENAFN) Indonesia's Communications and Digital Ministry has put foreign low-Earth orbit satellite operators — including Starlink — on notice Tuesday, demanding full compliance with domestic regulations as the country moves to assert greater control over its digital sovereignty.

Ministry Secretary-General Ismail said Indonesia is seeking to strike a careful balance between attracting foreign investment and safeguarding national strategic interests, making clear that operating in the world's largest archipelago comes with firm conditions.

"They are required to establish network operations centers here and comply with content regulations," he told local news portal Bisnis.com.

Ismail emphasized that Indonesia's unique geographic makeup — spanning thousands of islands across a vast stretch of ocean — makes satellite connectivity an essential complement to conventional broadband and mobile infrastructure, rather than a mere luxury.

Beyond regulatory compliance, Jakarta has broader ambitions. The government is actively working to integrate satellite services with artificial intelligence technologies, targeting expanded internet access in remote and underserved communities, with particular focus on strengthening sectors including education, healthcare, and small businesses.

The directive signals Indonesia's growing resolve to ensure that foreign tech giants operating in its digital space do so on Jakarta's terms — a stance increasingly echoed by governments across Southeast Asia as the race for satellite internet dominance accelerates.

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