BRIsat at 150.5° East – The World’s First Banking Communications Satellite

BRIsat is a geostationary communications satellite developed exclusively for banking and financial services by Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) — one of Indonesia’s largest state-owned banks. Positioned at 150.5° East, the satellite provides secure, high-availability communication across the Indonesian archipelago and beyond.

Why BRIsat Was Launched

The BRIsat mission was initiated to enhance the digital infrastructure of BRI’s banking network, especially in remote and underserved areas across Indonesia. With over 11,000 branches, ATMs, and service points, many located on remote islands, BRI needed a reliable and independent satellite system to ensure continuous financial connectivity, reduce reliance on third-party providers, and boost cybersecurity and data sovereignty.

By deploying its own satellite, BRI became the first bank in the world to operate a dedicated communications satellite.

Satellite Overview

• Operator: PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero), Tbk.

• Manufacturer: Space Systems/Loral (SSL), USA

• Satellite Bus: SSL-1300

• Payload: 45 active C- and Ku-band transponders

• Coverage: Indonesia, Southeast Asia (ASEAN), Northeast Asia, parts of the Pacific, and Western Australia

• Launch Date: June 2016

• Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5ECA rocket

• Launch Site: Guiana Space Centre, Kourou, French Guiana

• Orbital Slot: 150.5° East

• Mission Type: Banking, financial services, and secure communications

Operator Background – Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI)

Founded in 1895, PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero), Tbk. is one of the oldest and largest banks in Indonesia, specializing in microfinance and rural banking services. Headquartered in Jakarta, BRI is publicly traded and state-owned, with a strategic focus on expanding financial inclusion throughout Indonesia’s more than 17,000 islands.

BRI launched BRIsat as part of its digital transformation and financial modernization initiative, aiming to ensure always-on connectivity for secure banking operations—even in the most remote corners of the country. BRIsat also enhances the bank’s resilience during natural disasters, a crucial capability in a country prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Impact and Significance

BRIsat’s launch marked a historic milestone in the global banking and satellite industries. It established Indonesia as a leader in integrating space technology into financial infrastructure and set a new precedent for how financial institutions can own and operate satellite assets to serve customers more effectively.