Globe Telecom has rolled out a groundbreaking satellite-to-mobile service in partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink, targeting zero-coverage zones across the Philippines with a base price of ₱99.
The new feature allows users with compatible Android and HarmonyOS smartphones to send text messages, make app-based voice calls, and connect to vital online banking and government portals in areas completely devoid of traditional cell towers.
While Globe stated that iOS device compatibility is slated for a future rollout, the service is currently bundled at no extra cost for premium postpaid and Platinum plan holders. Meanwhile, prepaid and TM subscribers can access the network for a flat fee of ₱99.
”Reliable connectivity today is no longer just about convenience,” said Eric Tanbauco, Globe’s vice president for consumer mobile business. “Connectivity should not stop where towers end.”
This commercial debut follows successful live field tests carried out earlier this year in isolated pockets of Bataan, Batangas, and Rizal.
The joint venture originally debuted in January under the endorsement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., functioning as a pillar of the administration’s strategy to utilize low-Earth orbit satellite networks to enhance rural digital inclusion and fortify nationwide disaster management.
By catering to travelers, off-grid communities, and field operators, Globe aims to transcend the geographical hurdles of the country’s rugged mountain ranges and scattered islands, where building traditional terrestrial mobile infrastructure has historically been expensive and logistically challenging.