Philippines First in SEA to Offer Starlink Direct-to-Cell Service

There is one news story that was almost drowned in the din of events reported recently which elevated the status of the country at par with the international community’s standard on connectivity: Globe Telecom Inc. was given the green light last June 29 by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to commercially operate Starlink’s satellite direct-to-cell (D2C) services nationwide, specifically providing voice, video, and messaging over apps and SMS services. The Philippines emerges as the first in Southeast Asia to offer this kind of connectivity involving Starlink. Given this development, the country is no longer just metaphorically only one step away from the promised goals of the National Digital Connectivity Plan (NDCP) that was launched by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and approved by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos (PBBM) earlier this year. “It has arrived,” so to speak. The NDCP is the administration’s comprehensive and nationwide master plan for digital connectivity aimed at delivering faster and lower internet costs, more secure internet services and availability that will finally close the digital divide nationwide. D2C refers to satellite-to-device technology that connects standard smartphones directly to satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). It is also the acronym that stand for the business of offering fiber broadband, dedicated internet access for both personal or business uses, management of Wi-Fi and IT network services. This new development has the potential of turning the country into having the capability of providing geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) with needed connectivity services and ensure that no community is left behind in the country’s digital transition. The satellite services will give the country the chance to even lead in delivering inclusive, meaningful and transformative connectivity that will significantly impact in providing faster access to education, health services, government programs, and livelihood opportunities, especially to communities that have long been underserved by the country’s traditional telecom infrastructure. D2C’s science The transformative significance of this technology is that it is a game-changer for the Philippines as it provides a cost-effective and immediate way to communicate across its over 7,000 islands. Through this next-generation technology, ordinary LTE mobile phones will be able to access voice, data, video, and messaging services directly from space, eliminating the need for new devices or ground-based infrastructure. Powered by more than 650 low-Earth orbit satellites, Starlink’s network effectively turns each satellite into a “cell tower in space,” using advanced phased-array antennas and laser-linked systems to integrate with existing mobile networks seamlessly. DTC technology, as stated, brings the promise of connectivity to areas long considered unreachable such as remote islands, mountainous communities, and disaster-prone zones where building traditional towers is difficult or impossible. Crucially, this breakthrough will also strengthen the country’s disaster resilience. In a nation frequently hit by typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural hazards, satellite-to-phone connectivity can provide a vital lifeline when terrestrial networks are damaged or knocked out. Even when cell sites are down and power lines are cut, affected communities and first responders will still be able to send messages, make calls, and access critical information, enabling faster rescue, relief, and coordination during emergencies. With D2C technology, connectivity is then possible wherever you may be in the country, even in remote communities or places where traditional cell towers cannot reach. This acts as the network support that fills the gap with reliable SMS and light data access. This means you can access essential messaging apps and messages in places once considered unreachable. Live pilot tests for the D2C service were initially tested and proven in multiple remote areas, including Rizal, Batangas, and Bataan. These included demonstrations linking officials between Basilan and Bulacan. Globe Starlink’s D2C technology was actually deployed for proof-of-concept activities in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck these provinces last June 8. The D2C technology demonstrated its value as an indispensable last-mile lifeline for real-world emergencies and disaster response. Tip of the iceberg D2C technology is adopted by a growing number of major mobile operators worldwide. Countries now using it are the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Switzerland, Chile, Peru, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. With its deployment in the country, the Philippines joins these leading nations in harnessing space-based technology to deliver inclusive, resilient, and truly nationwide connectivity — “bringing the signal where it has never reached before, and keeping lines of communication open when our people need them most.” For the country, this technology is the long-sought solution to the country’s archipelagic geography problem which serves as its greatest constraint in connectivity. With it, folks in isolated islands, remote mountains, and disaster-stricken areas in the country are now — in a way — connected to the rest of the world. Above all, the versatility of the technology will spread to enterprises operating in remote environments, including the maritime, mining, logistics, and energy sectors. Companies that previously relied on expensive, specialized satellite phones can now equip their remote field teams with standard smartphones, improving communication, monitoring, and safety operations. More exciting in this development is the potential of the D2C technology as a vital extension of Globe’s cellular network in urban environments. With Globe’s 63.1 million subscribers, this much-awaited outcome will open new opportunities for Globe that may translate to feed investors’ appetite not just for stable dividend yield but further growth and value, all at the same time. – Rappler.com (The article has been prepared for general circulation for the reading public and must not be construed as an offer, or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments whether referred to herein or otherwise. Moreover, the public should be aware that the writer or any investing parties mentioned in the column may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of their reported or mentioned investment activity. You may reach the writer at [email protected])