2024: A Pivotal Year for NTN Technology in Indonesia

Jakarta, INTI - At the Indonesia Internet Expo and Summit (IIXS) 2024, held as part of the Indonesia Technology and Innovation (INTI) 2024 event, one of the main issues discussed was the importance of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) technology in Indonesia. According to Sigit PW Jarot, Head of National Telematics Infrastructure from Mastel (the Indonesian Telematics Society), 2024 will be a crucial moment for the development and implementation of NTN technology in Indonesia.

Currently, around 7% of the global population still remains outside the reach of mobile broadband networks. In Indonesia, this figure represents a significant challenge given the vast geographical area with many remote regions and islands. According to Sigit, bridging this gap can only be achieved with satellite technology, which is considered the only viable option. The use of this technology is not only essential for reaching remote areas but also becomes a key factor in the product strategy and pricing for telecommunications services in Indonesia.

Sigit also highlighted the economic potential of implementing NTN technology in Indonesia. According to data from GSMA Intelligence, by 2035, revenues from satellite-based connectivity are projected to reach USD 20-25 billion annually, with two-thirds of total revenue coming from consumers. Meanwhile, IoT services for the B2B sector are estimated to reach USD 10 billion per year during the same period. This substantial potential indicates that Indonesia must swiftly adopt NTN technology to compete in the global market.

Besides focusing on short-term economic benefits, Sigit emphasized the importance of building a long-term foundation for NTN technology. One critical step is adopting 3GPP standards towards NTN as a native component of 6G networks. However, the biggest challenge lies in technology fragmentation, where several major players still maintain proprietary models that can hinder the development of global standards.

The year 2024 will be a pivotal year for the development of NTN technology in Indonesia. With a focus on bridging the network gap and leveraging the satellite economy, Indonesia has a significant opportunity to enhance productivity and global competitiveness. However, this success will heavily depend on Indonesia's ability to build a strong technological foundation and address existing fragmentation challenges.