Elon Musk launches Starlink satellite internet service in Indonesia, world's largest archipelago

DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP) — Elon Musk traveled to Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on Sunday to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world’s largest archipelago nation.

Wearing a green Batik shirt, Musk was greeted with a garland of flower petals at a community health clinic in Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali, where he launched the Starlink service alongside Indonesian ministers.

Indonesia, a vast archipelago of 17,000 islands sprawled across three time zones with a population of more than 270 million, has been trying for years to secure deals with Musk's Tesla on battery investment and for Musk’s SpaceX to provide fast internet for the country’s remote regions.

During the ceremony, Musk took a speed test of the Starlink internet service with several health workers in Indonesia’s remote regions, including in Aru, one of Indonesia’s unserved and outermost islands in Maluku province.

“This can make it really a lifesaver for remote medical clinics, and I think it could be a possibility for education as well,” Musk told reporters.

“If you can access the internet and then you can learn anything and you can also sell your business services worldwide. So, I think it’s going to be incredibly beneficial," he said.

He also signed an agreement on enhancing connectivity in the country’s health and education sectors. Details about the agreement between the Indonesian government and Musk’s SpaceX, the aerospace company that operates Starlink services, were not provided.

Launching the service at a health clinic aligns with Starlink’s broader mission of providing affordable access to high-speed internet services, particularly in underserved and remote regions, said Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

“Our remote regions need Starlink to expand high-speed internet services, especially to help with problems in the health, education and maritime sectors,” Pandjaitan, a close ally of Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, told reporters. He held separate talks with Musk on Sunday.

Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi said earlier that local internet providers, which rely on base transceiver stations to transmit signals, are unable to reach outer islands because they have limited coverage. Starlink’s satellites, which remain in low orbit, will help them deliver faster internet with nationwide coverage.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said of the more than 10,000 clinics across the country, there are still around 2,700 without internet access.

“The internet can open up better access to health services as communication between regions is said to be easier, so that reporting from health service facilities can be done in real time or up to date,” he said.

During his first in-person visit to Bali, Musk is also scheduled to participate in the 10th World Water Forum, which seeks to address global water and sanitation challenges.

Musk spoke in 2022 at the B-20 business forum ahead of a summit of the Group of 20 leading economies that took place in Bali. He joined the conference by video link weeks after completing his heavily scrutinized takeover of Twitter.

Musk’s visit comes just weeks after Apple CEO Tim Cook met Widodo on April 17 and said the company would “look at” manufacturing in Indonesia. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella visited on April 30 and said the company would invest $1.7 billion over the next four years in new cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Indonesia.

Indonesia under Widodo has promoted development of the digital technology and information sectors, aiming to achieve the government’s Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision. The country hopes to become one of the world’s top five economies with a GDP of up to $9 trillion, exactly a century after it won independence from Dutch colonizers.

Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.

Elon Musk talks to press media during the launch of Starlink satellite internet service at a public health center in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Elon Musk arrived in Indonesia's resort island of Bali to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world's largest archipelago nation. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

Elon Musk center, talks to press media during the launch of Starlink satellite internet service, at a public health center in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Elon Musk arrived in Indonesia's resort island of Bali to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world's largest archipelago nation. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

Indonesian Minister of Health, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, second from left, and Elon Musk, second from right, pose after signing an agreement on enhancing connectivity at a public health center in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Elon Musk arrived in Indonesia's resort island of Bali to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world's largest archipelago nation. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

Elon Musk gesture upon his arrival at a public health center at Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Elon Musk arrived in Indonesia's resort island of Bali to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world's largest archipelago nation. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, second from left, and Elon Musk, second from right, sign an agreement on enhancing connectivity at a public health center in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Elon Musk arrived in Indonesia's resort island of Bali to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world's largest archipelago nation. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

FILE - Tesla and SpaceX Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk speaks at the SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition in Washington, Monday, March 9, 2020. Musk arrived in Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on Sunday, May 19, 2024, to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world’s largest archipelago nation. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Lauri Markkanen had 34 points, Collin Sexton had four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and the Utah Jazz ran past the New York Knicks 121-106 on Saturday to snap a four-game skid.

Sexton finished 25 points and John Collins had 20 points and 13 rebounds forthe Jazz.

OG Anunoby scored a season-high 27 points, Jalen Brunson scored 23 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 16 rebounds for the Knicks, who shot 39% from the field and lost for the first time in five games.

New York cut the lead to eight in the fourth quarter, but the Jazz responded with 10 consecutive points, capped by Johnny Juzang's 3-pointer to make it 104-86 with 6:16 remaining.

New York's Miles McBride sat out with a knee injury.

Knicks: The Knicks are a top team in the league on offense but when the shots aren't falling, they are hampered by a bottom-10 ranking in most defensive metrics. They were slow on switches and rotations until playing some inspired defense at times in the second half, but it was too late.

Jazz: Rookie Kyle Filipowski was out with a sore ankle, but regular starting center Walker Kessler returned to the lineup and had 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. He was disruptive in the paint, changing shots and forcing difficult passes.

In the final minute of the second quarter, the Knicks missed three jumpers while Markkanen made a 3, Kessler had a fast-break layup and Keyonte George hit a floater just before the buzzer to give the Jazz a 66-51 halftime lead.

Towns was shooting 50% from 3-point range this season but went 0 for 7 against the Jazz, the first time he hadn't made a 3 in nine games.

The Knicks continue their five-game road trip Monday night at Denver. Utah hosts San Antonio on Tuesday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Utah Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) goes to the hoop between New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) blocks a shot from Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, right, drives against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) dunks over New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) goes to the hoop between New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, left, and guard Josh Hart during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen goes to the hoop ahead of New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Spenser Heaps)