Who Are the Biggest Users of Foreign Satellites in Indonesia?

Statistics from the Directorate General of Postal and Informatics Resources and Devices in the first semester of 2016 show that 31 companies used foreign satellites. One of them is PT Sol Media Indonesia, a pay-TV service provider on Batam Island, which used 8 foreign satellites. This is the highest number compared to the other 30 companies.

PT Sol Media Indonesia used 4 satellites from China, namely Asiasat-4, Asiasat-5, Chinasat-10, and Chinasat-11. Then two satellites from Malaysia, Measat-3A and Measat-3B. One satellite from Japan, JCSAT-3A, and one from Tonga, APSTAR-6. To operate in Indonesia, these foreign satellites must have landing rights from the government.

On February 15, 2017, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk planned to launch the Telkom 3S satellite with 49 transponders. This launch is expected to reduce the deficit of local satellite transponders. Currently, there are approximately 250 transponders in Indonesia, but only 110 can be supplied by local satellites. The remainder still uses foreign satellite transponders.