President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. welcomed the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Globe Telecom and Starlink, calling it a significant step toward a more connected, inclusive, and disaster-resilient Philippines | Photo by PCO
MANILA — The Philippines has marked a historic leap in mobile connectivity with the launch of the country’s first Direct‑to‑Cell (D2C) satellite service, a partnership between Globe Telecom and Starlink that positions the nation as a regional pioneer. The ceremonial signing, witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at The Globe Tower in Taguig, makes the Philippines the first in Southeast Asia and only the second in Asia to adopt the technology.
The milestone comes as the Philippines continues to rank among the world’s most mobile‑centric populations, with mobile phones serving as the primary gateway to the internet for millions. Officials said the new service will “transform connectivity in areas where terrestrial coverage is unavailable or difficult to deploy,” especially across the country’s 7,600 islands.
From the First Internet Connection to a New Digital Frontier
This achievement builds on a legacy that began on March 29, 1994, when the Philippines established its first internet connection — a moment that ushered the country into the digital age. Today’s breakthrough, officials said, represents the next great leap: universal mobile access powered not by towers, but by satellites.
President Marcos hailed the partnership as a significant step toward digital inclusion. “This collaboration is proof of our shared commitment to bringing connectivity to even the farthest communities in our archipelago,” he said, emphasizing that connectivity “generates jobs, attracts investments, and brings essential services closer to the people”.
Starlink’s Satellites Act as ‘Cell Towers in Space’
Under the agreement, Globe LTE users will be able to connect directly to Starlink’s constellation of more than 650 low‑Earth‑orbit satellites, which function as “cellphone towers in space” to deliver text, voice, data, and IoT services even in dead‑zone areas.
Starlink senior partnerships manager Damien Innes, who attended the signing, said the technology is designed to ensure that “connectivity is a basic service for everybody.” Globe president and CEO Carl Cruz called the partnership “a historic step in our mission to build a digitally inclusive nation,” adding that connectivity “is no longer a privilege — it is a lifeline”.
A Lifeline for Remote Communities and Disaster Zones
The D2C service is expected to be especially critical during natural disasters, when terrestrial networks often fail. Marcos said the technology “can mean the difference between isolation and connection, between uncertainty and reassurance,” noting its potential to support first responders and affected communities.
The service requires no special devices or apps — only a standard LTE phone and a clear view of the sky. Users will activate the service through the GlobeOne or GCash apps, with pricing expected to be “very inclusive” and significantly cheaper than traditional satellite phone services, Globe said.
Toward 100% National Coverage
Globe currently covers 97 percent of the population through terrestrial towers. With Starlink’s satellite layer, the company expects to reach the remaining three percent, many of whom live in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) where building towers is costly or impossible.
Officials said the partnership aligns with the government’s broader digitalization agenda, including the National Fiber Backbone and Free Wi‑Fi for All programs. “After all, we are shaping a nation where opportunity reaches every island, every barangay, and every family,” Marcos said.
