Globe Telecom in the Philippines announces a historic Direct-to-Cell (DTC) satellite partnership with Starlink, positioning Globe as the first Southeast Asian operator and the second in Asia to offer DTC connectivity.

The initiative is framed as part of Globe’s broader mission to build a digitally inclusive nation by extending mobile reach to both urban centers and remote communities.

Globe describes the partnership as advancing universal connectivity and as part of a global effort to bring scalable satellite-enabled services to the Philippines and neighboring regions.

Initial proof-of-concept deployments and testing are planned for the first half of 2026, focusing on remote islands, mountains, and disaster-prone locations.

The collaboration aims to strengthen disaster resilience by ensuring uninterrupted communication for citizens and first responders during extreme weather and disasters.

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda stresses that this technology could prevent digital exclusion in education, commerce, and emergency coordination if successful.

The Philippines and Indonesia are highlighted as key markets for satellite-enabled 4G/LTE rollout, with testing seen as a critical first step toward broader adoption.

The service enables standard LTE phones to access data, voice, and messaging directly via Starlink satellites, requiring only a clear sky view and no specialized devices.

This arrangement aims to provide data, voice, and messaging to Philippine LTE phones via satellite with a clear sky view, expanding coverage to archipelago regions without the need for specialized hardware.

Globe’s significant investment (about USD 1.0 billion) and a large subscriber base (approximately 63 million users) are expected to accelerate rollout and move the technology toward practical use.

The signing ceremony was attended by Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. alongside Globe executives and regulators, underscoring government support for nationwide digital inclusion.

Starlink’s DTC concept uses a constellation of over 650 low-Earth orbit satellites, acting as a “cell tower in space” that integrates with terrestrial networks and enables roaming-like connectivity, particularly in disaster scenarios.