President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presided over the ceremonial signing of a landmark Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Globe Telecom and Starlink today at The Globe Tower, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s digital transformation.
The partnership introduces Direct-to-Cell (D2C) technology to the Philippines—the first in Southeast Asia and only the second in Asia. This innovation allows standard smartphones to connect directly to Starlink’s low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites without requiring additional hardware or specialized apps, providing a lifeline for messaging and data in the country’s most unreachable regions.
In his keynote address, President Marcos emphasized that digital inclusion is a cornerstone of the Bagong Pilipinas vision. He noted that the collaboration is vital for reaching “geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas” where traditional fiber or tower infrastructure is difficult to deploy.
“We envision a country where every child can learn without limits, where every farmer can access markets beyond their barangay, and where small businesses can grow beyond their neighborhoods,” President Marcos said. “This collaboration is proof of our shared commitment to bringing connectivity to even the farthest communities in our archipelago.”
Beyond daily connectivity, the President highlighted the strategic importance of satellite technology in disaster management. Given the Philippines’ vulnerability to typhoons, the D2C service provides a critical redundancy. When land-based towers are knocked out by natural disasters, the satellite network remains operational, ensuring that emergency communications and relief efforts continue uninterrupted.
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Direct-to-Cell (D2C) Launch: Enables basic mobile services (SMS and data) via satellite for existing LTE/5G smartphones.
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National Reach: Targets “dead zones” in remote islands, mountainous regions, and rural provinces.
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Economic Catalyst: Improved rural connectivity is expected to generate local jobs, attract investments, and modernize online learning and government services.
The President commended Globe Telecom for its long-standing role in the Philippine digital landscape and thanked SpaceX’s Starlink for bringing world-class satellite technology to the country. He urged other private sector leaders to follow suit in prioritizing human-centric innovation.
“When the government and private sector move with purpose and shared commitment, we broaden the possibilities for a more connected Philippines,” the President concluded. “Let us build a Bagong Pilipinas where every Filipino finds their place in this new digital world.”
The Globe-Starlink collaboration integrates advanced satellite technology with existing mobile infrastructure to create a hybrid network. This ensures that even in the most remote corners of the Philippines, connectivity is no longer a luxury, but a basic right for every citizen.
