Globe, Starlink to roll out cell-to-sat services within Q1
MANILA, Philippines — Globe Telecom Inc. on Friday sealed a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet Services Philippines Inc. to roll out direct-to-cell satellite connectivity in the country. The move is aimed at expanding mobile coverage to far-flung areas.
Through the partnership, Globe LTE users will be able to connect directly to Starlink satellites. This will expand access to text, voice, data and Internet-of-Things services in areas with limited or no cellular coverage.
Carl Cruz, president and CEO of Globe, said the partnership was “years in the making.” He said this is intended to bridge the remaining connectivity gaps across the Philippines.
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Globe’s terrestrial tower network currently covers about 97 percent of the country.
“The whole intent of the service is to be able to build connectivity to each and every Filipino in the country,” Cruz said.
“Whether you are in an urban area where there is no coverage, unfortunately, because of a lack of network infrastructure,” he added.
Cruz and Damien Innes, senior partnerships manager at Starlink, led the ceremonial signing on Friday in Bonifacio Global City. Also present during the signing were President Marcos, Globe chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda.
The service leverages Starlink’s network of more than 650 low-earth orbit satellites. Each one functions as a “cellphone tower in space” to enable mobile connectivity even in “dead zones.”
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It will not require users to purchase an additional SIM card. Instead, users will need to switch on roaming to access the service and position themselves in an area with a clear view of the sky.
Users will be able to subscribe through the Globe One App or via the GCash e-wallet, Cruz said.
No pricing yet
Globe is targeting a rollout by the end of the first quarter. While pricing has yet to be finalized, Cruz said the service would be “very inclusive” and “definitely” cheaper than traditional satellite phone services.
Cruz said the technology would be particularly critical during emergencies and natural disasters. During such times, mobile connectivity may “spell the difference between safety and peril.”
In his remarks, Marcos said the partnership would also allow students to learn without interruption, farmers to access wider markets and micro, small and medium enterprises to expand their reach.
“When connectivity reaches the countryside, it generates jobs, attracts investments and brings essential services closer to the people,” the President said.
Zobel said the partnership forms part of Globe’s broader investments to bridge connectivity gaps. He noted that the company has earmarked $1 billion in total capital expenditures for 2026.
Globe is the first Southeast Asian company to roll out Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology and the second in Asia after Japan.
Outside the Philippines, Starlink’s direct-to-cell services are available in Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Ukraine and Nigeria.
In 2024, Globe also tested a similar direct-to-phone technology with US-based Lynk Global. It completed the Philippines’ first end-to-end satellite SMS customer trial. INQ
