Elon Musk’s Space Exploration (SpaceX) Technologies Corp.’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet technology is finally here in the Philippines. On Friday, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) approved the registration of the value-added service (VAS) provider registration of Starlink Internet Services Philippines Inc. A subsidiary of the Starlink satellite internet service owned by the American tech billionaire, Elon Musk.
According to NTC, the registration of Starlink in the Philippines allows the company to directly access satellite systems and build and operate broadband facilities to offer internet services.
For NTC commissioner, Gamaliel Cordoba, the NTC is committed to ensure the immediate roll-out of Starlink’s internet access services.
“Starlink is expected to cover villages in urban and suburban areas and rural areas that remain unserved or underserved with internet access services. The service is expected to bring cost effective internet access in these areas,” the NTC said.
SpaceX’s counsel, Atty. Bien Marquez of Quisumbing Torres, also thanked the NTC for its fast action in issuing Starlink’s VAS License. Marquez also acknowledged the government’s seriousness in addressing the connectivity needs in the country, saying that this also prepares the country for natural disasters and calamities.
Literally out-of-this-world Internet Provider
In case you don’t know, Starlink is a satellite internet provider that is a part of SpaceX, a rocket manufacturer that offers high-speed broadband connectivity. As of May 2022, Starlink consists of over 2,400 mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), which communicate with designated ground transceivers.
The NTC said that Starlink offers high-speed, low latency satellite internet service with download speeds between 100Mbps to 200Mbps.
As Starlink enables access to essential online services and resources for rural communities which traditional internet service providers can’t provide, Starlink might be the savior of the poor internet connectivity crisis we are experiencing right now.
As of now, the Philippines is considered as the first country in Southeast Asia that offers Starlink satellite internet service.
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