The Philippines Is the First Country in Southeast Asia to Welcome Starlink

The Philippine government has now greenlighted the entry of Starlink, a satellite-based internet service provider owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, and is now poised to become the first country in Southeast Asia enjoy Starlink’s internet from the skies. 

Starlink is powered by Musk’s SpaceX, whose registration at the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has been expedited for the immediate rollout of Starlink’s services. Starlink provides satellite internet services and has over 1,700  low-Earth orbit satellites.

“The NTC is steadfast in helping ensure that roll-out of Starlink’s internet access services will be done expeditiously and professionally,” said NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba in a Rappler report.

Up to 500 Mbps Connection

The City of Manila will be the first to receive the services of SpaceX’s Starlink, according to Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso. 

In March 2022, Domagoso had a meeting with Rebecca Hunter, SpaceX senior manager for government affairs, and Raymond Garcia, SpaceX partner-representative for the Philippines and other Asian countries at the Manila City Hall. 

“Iniintay lang namin yung mga regulatory agencies to process yung sa side ng Starlinks SpaceX after that, Manila can deploy about 896 dishes for 896 barangays para maging available ito sa (We are just waiting for the regulatory agencies to process on the side of Starlink SpaceX. After that, Manila can deploy about 896 dishes to make it available for the city’s 896) barangays,” Domagoso said in a Philippine News Agency report. 

”This Starlink low orbit satellite can provide 110 Mbps for residential families, then it can, for enterprises, it can give up to 500 Mbps speed of bandwidth,” he added.