Insider Spotlight
Direct to Cell, developed by SpaceX’s Starlink division, is designed to connect unmodified LTE phones directly to low-Earth orbit satellites. The service delivers continuous voice, text, and data coverage without requiring users to install special hardware or apps, effectively extending mobile network reach into “dead zones” such as mountainous terrain, islands, and rural inland areas.
Why this matters
Satellite mobile coverage has historically been limited to expensive or specialized devices, or constrained to certain emergency functions. Starlink’s DTC aims to change that by allowing standard phones to communicate directly with satellites, bypassing the need for ground cell towers. This could significantly reduce coverage gaps in the Philippines — a nation of more than 7,000 islands where geographical challenges often hinder telecom infrastructure.
Expanding connectivity also has broader economic and social implications. Improved mobile access can enhance disaster communications, support remote work and education, and enable rural industries to adopt digital tools more easily.
Gov’t backing
Philippine officials, including President Marcos and representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), local government units, and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), are expected to attend Friday's unveiling of the Globe-Starlink partnership
What’s Next
The rollout timeline and service pricing in the Philippines have yet to be detailed publicly, but global DTC deployments elsewhere are progressing, with Starlink expanding its constellation and partnerships to support commercial availability.
The Globe-Starlink initiative represents a leap toward ubiquitous mobile service — potentially transforming how Filipinos stay connected, particularly outside urban centers.
— Edited by Daxim L. Lucas
