Globe Telecom is preparing to roll out a satellite-to-mobile connectivity service in partnership with Starlink as early as June, a move aimed at improving coverage in remote and underserved areas across the Philippines.
Globe chief commercial officer Darius Delgado said the company is on track to launch the direct-to-cell (DTC) service for Android users next month, pending regulatory approval.
“This is a new technology in the industry, and we spent time to make sure it serves its purpose when we launch,” Delgado said.
The service will initially be available to Android users and will offer two prepaid packages: P99 for 30 days and P299 for 90 days.
Unlike traditional satellite devices, the service works with standard LTE-enabled mobile phones and does not require specialized hardware. The technology connects mobile users directly to satellites in low-Earth orbit, allowing basic connectivity even in areas without terrestrial cell towers.
The rollout is expected to benefit geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, including rural communities and maritime zones that continue to experience limited or no mobile coverage.
Globe said the service could also help maintain communications during typhoons, disasters, and large-scale outages when conventional telecommunications infrastructure is disrupted.
The company added that the technology may eventually support broader access to digital public services, including government platforms such as the eGov app.
Direct-to-cell satellite technology has emerged as one of the telecom industry’s newest developments, with companies globally exploring ways to extend mobile connectivity beyond the reach of traditional cellular infrastructure.
Starlink’s system operates through a network of low-Earth orbit satellites that function similarly to cell towers in space, enabling mobile devices to connect in remote locations with an open view of the sky.
The technology has already been used internationally during emergencies and network outages, particularly in areas where terrestrial communications were temporarily unavailable.