Globe Telecom Inc. has effectively achieved full mobile coverage across the Philippines with the launch of its first Direct-to-Cell (DTC) satellite service in 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, sealing the deal.
The service will allow Filipinos with standard LTE mobile phones to access data, messaging, voice calls via apps, and SMS anywhere with a clear view of the sky.
100 percent coverage
“Technically, yes. We have achieved 100 percent coverage across the country. So, right now, 97 percent of the population we cover with our services — current services for the terrestrial traditional network,” Cruz said.
“Now, the balance, three percent of the population can have access to the network and be part of nation building and can have access to live build opportunities, to learning opportunities, to financial inclusion through this DTC service that we’re offering in partnership with Starlink,” 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.
Satellite-to-mobile service
The satellite-to-mobile service also acts as a backup during network outages, including those caused by natural disasters, connecting 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 3 to 4 percent of Filipinos who currently have no terrestrial mobile coverage.
