An Empirical Evaluation of Starlink for Last-Mile Connectivity: A Case Study from Rural Indonesia

Authors

  • Muchamad Rusdan Universitas Teknologi Bandung
  • Sri Kuswayati Universitas Teknologi Bandung
  • Isak Ramlan STMIK Mardira Indonesia

Keywords:

Network Performance Evaluation, Quality of Service, Rural Internet Access, Starlink

Abstract

The persistent digital divide in rural Indonesia necessitates innovative solutions for last-mile connectivity. This study presents an empirical evaluation of SpaceX's Starlink as a potential solution, employing a mixed-methods case study in five remote hamlets in Sukajadi Village, West Java. Quantitative data was collected through systematic field measurements using Speedtest CLI and iPerf3 over 30 days to assess download/upload speeds, latency, and packet loss. Qualitative data was gathered via in-depth interviews and observations to understand the socio-economic impact and user experience. Results demonstrate Starlink's robust technical performance, with average download speeds of 132.25 Mbps, upload speeds of 18.53 Mbps, and latency of 32.80 ms—significantly outperforming traditional satellite services and competing with urban fixed broadband. Qualitatively, Starlink proved transformative, enabling online education, expanding market access for local businesses, and improving access to e-government services. However, the study identifies a critical paradox: despite technical excellence and high user satisfaction (85%), the substantial cost of hardware (IDR 5,900,000) and monthly subscription (IDR 750,000) creates a significant adoption barrier for 80% of households. The research concludes that while Starlink is technically viable for last-mile connectivity in rural Indonesia, its successful integration into digital inclusion strategies requires innovative policy interventions, subsidy models, or community-based sharing schemes to address economic accessibility. This study provides crucial empirical evidence for policymakers and network planners considering LEO satellite solutions for bridging the digital divide in similar underserved regions.

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Published

2025-12-29

How to Cite

Rusdan, M., Kuswayati, S., & Ramlan, I. (2025). An Empirical Evaluation of Starlink for Last-Mile Connectivity: A Case Study from Rural Indonesia. Journal of Informatics and Communication Technology (JICT), 7(2), 43–49. Retrieved from https://ejournal.akademitelkom.ac.id/j_ict/index.php/j_ict/article/view/463

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Informatika

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Copyright (c) 2025 Muchamad Rusdan, Sri Kuswayati; Isak Ramlan

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