MANILA, Philippines – Globe Telecom will be the first provider in Southeast Asia, and the second in Asia, to offer Starlink’s Direct to Cell (DTC) satellite service for mobile phones.

Starting this year, Filipinos with standard LTE phones will be able to access voice, messaging, and essential data services directly via Starlink’s constellation of over 650 low-Earth orbit satellites, even in areas without terrestrial coverage.

The service is not meant to replace terrestrial networks. Instead, it acts as a resiliency layer, providing connectivity where traditional towers are absent or fail, including during disasters. In archipelagic Philippines, this represents a step in potentially bridging coverage gaps in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

In times of disaster, the DTC service has been known to have helped sustain SMS messages and Wireless Emergency Alerts when terrestrial networks were down.

Since Starlink satellite’s service went online in the Philippines in February 2023, it has helped provide online connections in areas that aren’t reached by the usual fiber or cellular data services.

“This partnership with Starlink marks a historic step in our mission to build a digital-inclusive nation,” said Carl Cruz, Globe president and CEO. “Connectivity is no longer a privilege — it is a lifeline and a modern‑day utility that fuels individual opportunity and national economic progress.”

Damien Innes, Starlink senior partnerships manager, said: “Connectivity is a basic service for everybody. It should be a basic human right. We want to provide, make sure that the Philippines has this connectivity, this infrastructure, so that every Filipino can stay connected wherever they are and whenever they need it.”

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. described the milestone as “a huge step forward towards a more progressive, connected, and equitable Philippines…. It is useful for this system when cell towers can fail and networks can go silent.”

“Because when connectivity reaches the countryside, it generates jobs, attracts investments, and brings essential services closer to the people. As we pursue this vision, we acknowledge our private sector partners who share this responsibility,” he added.

The Direct to Cell service works with standard LTE phones, requiring only a line of sight to the sky. It is particularly beneficial for remote islands, rural communities, and maritime regions. Globe explained in its press release, “Acting like a cell tower in space, Starlink satellites connect seamlessly across the Starlink network over lasers to any point on the globe, enabling network integration similar to a standard roaming partner.”

During extreme weather or disasters, it may help residents, first responders, and government services remain connected, reinforcing national resilience and digital inclusion.

Globe hasn’t announced a specific date of availability and rates for the service.

Starlink’s DTC service currently has around 12 million customers across 22 countries on 6 continents. – Rappler.com