TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has announced the successful launch of its new Nusantara Lima (N5) satellite into orbit. The satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral, United States, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

According to Komdigi Minister Meutya Hafid, the N5 provides internet access to remote areas that previously lacked telecommunication services. “The N5 is a bridge that connects Indonesia without boundaries,” she said in a written statement on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

Meutya Hafid, a politician from the Golkar Party, believes the satellite will provide fair internet access for all citizens, stating that “children in Maluku and Papua will have the same access to education as children in Jakarta.”

She added that the N5 will also help rural small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) compete with urban businesses, calling it true digital equalization. The launch aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to prioritize technology independence and sovereignty.

With a capacity of 160 Gbps, the N5 is now the largest communication satellite in Southeast Asia. It will occupy the 113 degrees East longitude orbit, covering all of Indonesia and specifically strengthening connectivity in the eastern region.

About the N5 Satellite

Owned by PT Satelit Nusantara Lima (SNL), a subsidiary of PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN), the satellite is the result of a global collaboration with Boeing Satellite Systems, Hughes Network Systems, and SpaceX. The Indonesian government, through Komdigi, oversees orbit registration and maintains national sovereignty.

The launch of the N5 marks another significant milestone for Indonesia, following the Palapa A1 in 1976, Nusantara Satu in 2019, and SATRIA-1 in 2023. This project emphasizes that Indonesia is not merely a technology consumer but also a manager of satellite technology, directly benefiting its people and strengthening the nation’s position as a digital connectivity hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

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