Elon Musk’s satellite internet unit, Starlink Internet Services Philippines Inc., is taking steps to broaden its operational reach in the Philippines. The company has formally applied for authorization to function across two primary segments of the country’s expanding data transmission sector, according to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
The regulator confirmed that Starlink filed its formal applications to become a Data Transmission Industry Participant (DTIP) under Section 9(b) of NTC Memorandum Circular No. 002-02-2026. The circular establishes the eligibility, registration, and authorization rules for data providers pursuant to Republic Act No. 12234, more commonly known as the Konektadong Pinoy Act.
Under its submission, Starlink is seeking permit to operate as a Core or Backbone Network Provider and an International Gateway Facility Provider. The move comes as the Philippine government rolls out the Konektadong Pinoy Act to strengthen and modernize the regulatory environment for digital infrastructure.
The NTC’s review process will evaluate whether Starlink satisfies the technical, operational, and financial benchmarks required for DTIP approval. To qualify under the law, the NTC previously mandated that DTIPs must maintain a high level of capital investment.
Eligible applicants must demonstrate the technical and financial capability to deliver reliable and secure services, while also establishing, operating, and maintaining data transmission infrastructure. Participants meeting these criteria are permitted to apply in one or more network segments.
Financially, the NTC requires all candidates, regardless of whether they operate as an international gateway facility, core or backbone, middle mile, or last mile provider, to commit minimum asset amounts and preserve a stable debt-to-asset ratio. The regulator set the maximum debt-to-asset ratio across all network categories at 70 percent. Under these guidelines, international gateway facility applicants need a minimum asset requirement of P1 billion, core or backbone network applicants require P100 million, middle-mile providers require P10 million and last-mile providers require P500,000.