Ayala-backed Globe Telecom, Inc. is introducing the first Direct to Cell (DTC) satellite service in the country and Southeast Asia through a partnership with Starlink under Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp.

Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz and Starlink Senior Partnerships Manager Damien Innes formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement in Taguig City on Friday to kickstart the deal.

The service will let Filipinos with standard LTE mobile phones access essential data, messaging, voice calls via apps, and SMS anywhere with a clear view of the sky.

“This partnership with Starlink marks a historic step in our mission to build a digitally inclusive nation,” 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. More than using advanced technology, the partnership is about inclusivity, resilience, and giving every citizen the opportunity to thrive in the digital age,” he added.

Starlink’s constellation of more than 650 low-Earth orbit satellites will help Globe fill mobile coverage gaps in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, enabling access to digital government services through the eGov App.

The satellite-to-mobile service is also designed to serve as a backup during network outages, including those caused by natural disasters. 

Acting like a cell tower in space, Starlink’s DTC service connects LTE phones directly to the satellite network.

With over 12 million customers in 22 countries, Starlink’s services promise to deliver SMS messages and Wireless Emergency Alerts when terrestrial networks fail. 

Globe and Starlink aim to reach the remaining 4 percent of Filipinos who currently have no terrestrial mobile coverage.