Reinforcing its commitment to nationwide disaster resilience, PLDT Inc. and its wireless arm, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), have successfully tested breakthrough direct-to-device satellite services in Batangas under simulated emergency scenarios.
Conducted in partnership with global satellite internet pioneer Lynk Global Inc., the trial successfully demonstrated the technology’s capability to deliver critical emergency alerts and text messages directly to standard mobile phones, even in remote areas where terrestrial cell towers are completely knocked out.
This milestone directly supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to build a more disaster-resilient Philippines. It also responds to the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) ongoing call for the public and the telecommunications sector to leverage emerging technologies to bolster emergency communications and safeguard communities.
“In a disaster-prone country like the Philippines, maintaining a lifeline during calamities is a matter of national security and public safety,” said PLDT and Smart representatives. “This successful test brings us one step closer to ensuring that no Filipino is left completely unconnected, no matter how severe the storm or how isolated the location.”
Building on the success of these trials, PLDT and Smart are targeting a commercial launch of the direct-to-device satellite service in the Philippines next year.
While initial testing has focused on vital text messaging and emergency alerts, future phases of the roadmap plan to expand capabilities to include voice calls and data services via satellite connectivity, bridging the digital divide for last-mile and emergency-stricken communities.
