Digital finance has become a crucial factor in promoting financial inclusion in developing regions. However, in rural and remote areas of Indonesia, there is limited internet connectivity, which hinders the provision of digital finance services.This research project aims to overcome connectivity barriers by providing satellite internet through Starlink technology to potential and existing digital finance retail agents in these underserved areas. The intervention seeks to enhance transaction processing speed, improve customer satisfaction, and expand the agent network into remote markets to boost financial inclusion. The pilot phase of the project will assess the feasibility of deploying satellite internet services by testing various governance models for Starlink’s adoption, including cost-sharing arrangements, subsidy levels, connection management approaches (e.g., community leader-managed, rotating), and data usage policies. The pilot will also lay the groundwork for a full-scale Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) by refining study protocols, identifying challenges, and estimating effect sizes, with the ultimate goal of understanding the impact of improved internet connectivity on digital finance agent productivity, business growth, and agent network expansion in regions with limited access to financial services.
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