President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday lauded the partnership between Ayala-owned Globe Telecom and Starlink, the satellite internet venture of American entrepreneur Elon Musk, calling it a transformative step that could finally deliver reliable connectivity to even the country’s most remote islands.
Speaking at the signing of the Globe–Starlink memorandum of agreement in Taguig City, Marcos described the deal as a “huge step forward” toward building a more connected and equitable nation.
“With the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between Globe and Starlink, we take a huge step forward towards a more progressive, connected, and equitable Philippines,” the President said.
The collaboration will introduce direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite service, enabling ordinary smartphones to link directly to Starlink’s low-orbit satellites without additional devices. The Philippines will be the first country in Southeast Asia to deploy the technology.
“The phones that we have in our pockets right now will be able to avail of that service once there is no cell site,” Marcos noted, calling the innovation “amazing.”
He emphasized that the service would be vital during disasters, when typhoons often disable cell towers and leave communities cut off.
“When cell towers can fail and networks can go silent—this service can mean the difference between isolation and connection, between uncertainty and reassurance,” he said.
The President underscored that the initiative complements the administration’s broader digital agenda, including the National Fiber Backbone and Free Wi-Fi for All programs, particularly aimed at geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
“But we cannot speak of progress when so many parts of our country remain disconnected,” Marcos said, stressing that improved connectivity would spur jobs, investments, and access to essential services in rural areas.
“So, together, let us build a Bagong Pilipinas where every Filipino finds their place in this new digital world,” he added.