During the post-State of the Nation Address, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy touted the use of Starlink’s low Earth orbit spacecraft to beam broadband to far-flung places.
“We’ve deployed new satellites, the most famous, as you know, is the Starlink system. So far, the Philippines is one of the fastest-growing sites for that,” Uy said on Wednesday.
“In our recent meeting with [Starlink], they mentioned they have already deployed 30,000 terminals in less than one year,” Uy said.
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For most of the Philippine population, internet services are provided by mobile telcos Smart, Globe Telecom, DITO Telecommunity, and large fiber companies such as Converge ICT Solutions.
Starlink, deployed by Musk’s SpaceX, delivers high-speed internet from space to any point on the globe, bypassing the need for costly and difficult-to-deploy land-based infrastructure, especially in areas where local providers are not present.
The trade-off is its relatively high cost. Starlink costs around P2,700 monthly plus P28,000 for satellite terminals, making these ideal for remote homes, beach resorts, and mining companies.
Starlink’s growth in the Philippines is supported by companies such as billionaire Henry Sy Jr.’s Data Lake Inc.
Data Lake CEO Anthony Almeda earlier told InsiderPH that they plan to double Starlink sales this year due to strong market demand.
Last week, Data Lake announced a strategic partnership with Comclark Network and Technology Corp., the controlling shareholder of Converge ICT, to help extend its reach.
World Bank loan
Uy said the DICT plans to link the rest of the country via its national broadband network, which is expected to be fully operational by 2026.
On Wednesday, he said President Marcos also approved a $280 million (P16.4 billion) loan from the World Bank to accelerate the construction of internet cables in the Mindanao portion of the broadband network, which creates another direct link between the Philippines and the United States.
Mindanao connection
“With that loan, we will be able to accelerate the deployment without having to wait for the annual General Appropriations Act,” Uy said on Wednesday.
“Because if we wait for that, it will take a long time before we reach Mindanao,” he added.
Miguel R. Camus has been a reporter covering various domestic business topics since 2009.
