After Starlink, Philippines Ready to Welcome Other Satellite Players in the Country
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The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is ready to welcome other satellite internet providers to the Philippines, days after Elon Musk’s SpaceX was given the green light to operate in the country.
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In a statement, DICT Acting Secretary Emmanuel Rey R. Caintic said the agency intends to provide ease of entry to other satellite internet providers who want to offer their services locally.
“The DICT will continue to find ways to make the accreditation process faster, more convenient, and will provide policy support to companies like Starlink,” Caintic said. “I urge you to intensify your corporate presence in the country.”
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) approved the registration of Starlink Internet Services Philippines Inc., the local unit of billionaire Musk’s SpaceX, as a “value-added services” provider. This allows Starlink to directly access satellite systems, build and operate satellite-based broadband facilities, and offer Internet connectivity solutions in the Philippines.
The Philippines is the first country in Southeast Asia expected to benefit from the services of Starlink broadband service, which provides a low-Earth orbit satellite system designed to deliver broadband internet connectivity to Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged areas (GIDA), where laying fiber cables is difficult. Satellite internet speeds can go from 100 to 200 Megabits per second (Mbps).
The approval of Starlink’s registration came just months after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11647 or the Amended Foreign Investments Act, which liberalized the foray of foreign companies into the Philippines.
“DICT continues to provide an enabling environment especially for new players such as Starlink. In light with the RA 11647 that opens up our gates to more foreign players, SSPO [Satellite Systems Providers and/or Operators] accreditation is an acknowledgement from us that you are allowed to do business in the country,” Caintic said. “Please continue to follow our existing telecommunication laws and make sure to deliver faster and secure connectivity in our country.”
Starlink isn’t the only company offering satellite internet services globally. Major players include Amazon, whose Project Kuiper is projected to launch before its approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lapses in 2026; OneWeb, which is said to focus more on businesses instead of individual consumers; and Canadian company Telesat’s Lightspeed, which is also targeting enterprises rather than direct customers. There are also about a dozen other players, including Boeing, O3b, and Keppler Communications.
