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With just your Globe cellphone, you may soon access Starlink internet services using low-earth orbit satellite technology, thus opening cyberspace connectivity to Filipinos even in remote areas.
Globe Telecom Inc. announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet Services Philippines Inc. to roll out direct-to-cell satellite connectivity last Friday.
President and CEO Carl Cruz of Globe and Starlink senior partnerships manager Damien Innes led the ceremonial signing on Friday at the Globe Tower in Bonifacio Global City.
Globe officials said the partnership with Starlink made history because it would be the first deployment of the technology in Southeast Asia. They said the coupling did not happen overnight, as it took several years for both parties to agree on the terms of the business partnership.
The event was graced by President Bongbong Marcos, Globe chairman Jaime Zobel de Ayala and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda.
While telecom officials cited the utility of the partnership’s services in emergency cases such as floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters where rescue and relief services are badly needed at once, President Bongbong only cited in his speech that the new technology will help students in their daily lessons in school without interruption.
The Chief Executive also mentioned in his speech that the technological partnership would also help farmers access markets beyond their areas and small businesses expand their reach.
“When connectivity reaches the countryside, it generates jobs, attracts investments and brings essential services closer to the people,” he added.
Through the partnership, Globe LTE users will be able to connect directly to Starlink satellites. This expands access to text, voice, data and internet-of-things services in areas with limited or no cellular coverage.
The service leverages Starlink’s network of more than 650 low-earth orbit satellites which functions as a “cellphone tower in space” to enable mobile connectivity even in “dead-zone” areas.
This kind of Starlink service is also available in several countries, among them Ukraine, Iran, Australia, Nigeria, New Zealand, Venezuela and Peru.
Cruz said the new service is especially crucial during emergencies and natural disasters, when mobile connectivity may “spell the difference between safety and peril.”