Globe has received the green light to commercially operate Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile service across the Philippines, giving the country a new way to keep phones connected in areas where regular cell towers cannot reach.
The National Telecommunications Commission has authorized Globe to commercially operate Starlink direct-to-device connectivity nationwide. Globe announced the approval on June 29 and said it allows the company to provide voice, video, app-based messaging, and SMS through Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites.
The development gives the Philippines a major first in Southeast Asia for Starlink satellite-to-mobile service. It also places Globe as the first Philippine telco cleared by the NTC to offer the service commercially.
For ordinary Filipinos, the impact is practical. A compatible Globe phone may connect directly to satellites when there is no regular mobile signal. That matters for fishermen at sea, residents in mountain barangays, families in island communities, travelers on remote roads, and people trapped in areas where storms, earthquakes, or floods have damaged cell towers.
Globe said users need an active Globe SIM, a compatible device, a Globe Starlink promo subscription, and an outdoor location with a clear view of the sky. Some devices also need data roaming turned on, though Globe said there will be no extra roaming charges when the service is used within the Philippines.
The service remains limited for now. Globe’s Starlink page says it currently supports select Android and HarmonyOS devices, with iOS support still coming soon. It can handle essential messaging, navigation apps, SMS, and light data, but not video streaming, torrents, heavy downloads, or online gaming.
“This new satellite-to-mobile technology enhances digital inclusion and accessibility,” Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz said.
Globe said the technology was recently deployed in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani after the magnitude 7.8 Mindanao earthquake, supporting emergency communications for more than 150,000 customers.
