President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attends the launch of Globe and Starlink’s Direct-to-Call satellite service in the Philippines. Photo (L-R): Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, Hon. Jorge Daniel Bocobo, District Representative of the City of Taguig, Globe Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, and Starlink Senior Partnerships Manager Damien Innes. | Photo via Globe Telecom
MANILA — The Philippines has become the first country in Southeast Asia to roll out satellite‑to‑phone (Direct‑to‑Cell) mobile connectivity, following a landmark partnership between Globe Telecom and Starlink, the satellite network operated by SpaceX. The initiative was formalized during a ceremonial signing at The Globe Tower in Taguig, witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
A Regional First Driven by Public–Private Collaboration
The rollout stems from a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Globe and Starlink, enabling ordinary LTE smartphones to connect directly to low‑Earth‑orbit satellites without special devices or apps. President Marcos called the partnership a “huge step forward” in closing the country’s digital divide.
“This collaboration is proof of our shared commitment to bringing connectivity to even the farthest communities in our archipelago,” Marcos said during the signing ceremony.
The agreement brought together key figures from both government and industry, including DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy, Globe Telecom Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu, and Starlink Senior Partnerships Manager Damien Innes.
Marcos emphasized the technology’s simplicity: “The phones that we have in our pockets right now will be able to avail of that service once there is no cell site.”
How the Technology Works
The Direct‑to‑Cell (D2C) service allows smartphones to send messages and access basic data even in areas without a terrestrial signal — a major advantage for a country of more than 7,600 islands. The technology is expected to be especially critical during typhoons and other disasters, when ground networks often fail.
“This service can mean the difference between isolation and connection, between uncertainty and reassurance,” Marcos said, highlighting its value for emergency response.
Investment and Government Oversight
While Globe and Starlink have not publicly disclosed the total investment value, the partnership aligns with the administration’s broader digital‑infrastructure strategy, including the National Fiber Backbone, Free Wi‑Fi for All, and the Digital Cities Program. These initiatives fall under the oversight of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
DICT officials said the satellite‑to‑phone rollout complements ongoing efforts to expand connectivity in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), where building cell towers is costly or impractical.
Fil‑Am Communities See Major Benefits
The announcement has drawn strong interest from Filipino American communities across the United States, where millions maintain close ties with relatives in remote Philippine provinces. For many, the new technology promises more reliable communication during emergencies.
A Fil‑Am disaster‑response coalition in California, speaking collectively, said the technology could reduce the emotional toll during typhoons. “Every storm season, families here brace for days of silence when networks go down. Satellite‑to‑phone service means our loved ones can stay reachable even when towers fail,” the group said.
In New York and New Jersey, where many Filipino families support relatives in rural areas, community organizations said the rollout could improve daily coordination around remittances, telehealth, and caregiving.
A Fil‑Am community center in Jersey City noted, “Communication is the backbone of every immigrant household. If our parents or siblings in the provinces can stay connected even during outages, it eases the burden on families abroad.”
A Boost for U.S.–PH Tech Cooperation
Fil‑Am professionals in the U.S. tech sector also welcomed the development, saying it strengthens technological ties between the Philippines and American companies.
“This shows the Philippines is ready to adopt frontier technologies,” said a Seattle‑based Filipino American engineer who works in satellite communications and requested anonymity due to corporate policy. “It’s encouraging to see U.S. companies partnering with PH telcos to push innovation.”
The partnership with Starlink, a U.S.-based company under SpaceX, is viewed as a sign of deepening cooperation in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and next‑generation communications.
A Win for the Global Filipino Community
For millions of Filipinos abroad, the satellite‑to‑phone rollout is more than a technological milestone — it’s a reassurance that distance will feel a little smaller.
Fil‑Am groups say the technology will help maintain family ties, improve safety during disasters, and support economic coordination between households in the U.S. and the Philippines.
“This is a win for Filipinos everywhere,” the California coalition said. “Connectivity is not just a convenience — it’s a lifeline.”
