GLOBE Telecom Inc. has signed a deal to bring Starlink’s direct-to-cell (DTC) satellite service to the country, a development President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said would boost connectivity and disaster preparedness.
Globe said the service would allow Filipinos with standard LTE phones to access mobile services “wherever there is a view of the sky.”
It will use Starlink’s network of over 650 low-Earth orbit satellites and help address mobile coverage gaps across geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, provide access to government services and also make mobile connectivity a “disaster resilience essential.”
“This partnership with Starlink marks a historic step in our mission to build a digital inclusive nation,” Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz said.
“Connectivity is no longer a privilege, it is a lifeline and a modern-day utility that fuels individual opportunity and national economic progress,” he added.
“By extending mobile reach through satellite technology, we are ensuring that every Filipino, whether in bustling cities or in the most remote barangay, has access to essential communication.”
Marcos, who was present during the signing of a memorandum of agreement between Globe and Starling, said “we take a huge step forward towards a more progressive, connected, and equitable Philippines.”
“This collaboration is proof of our shared commitment to bringing connectivity to even the farthest communities in our archipelago,” he added.
Users will be able to access messaging and basic data even in areas without cell sites, Marcos said, noting the service’s potential during disasters when conventional networks may fail.
Marcos said the Globe–Starlink partnership had introduced new avenues for expanding mobile connectivity, particularly in areas “where traditional infrastructure remains challenging.”
“Through the launch of Direct-to-Cell or D2C service — first in Southeast Asia and second in Asia — we made satellite-powered mobile connectivity available in the Philippines,” the president said.
Marcos said the initiative complemented other government programs aimed at strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure, including the National Fiber Backbone and the Free Wi-Fi for All program.
He emphasized that digital inclusion was essential not only for connectivity but also for education, business, and countryside development.
Globe’s share price fell by P19, or 1.15 percent, to P1,632 on Friday, outpacing the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange’s 0.35-percent dip.