(Screen grab : RTVM fbpage)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday welcomed a landmark partnership between Globe Telecom and Starlink, describing it as a significant stride toward a more connected, progressive, and equitable Philippines.
Speaking at the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Agreement at the Globe Tower in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Marcos said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to bringing reliable connectivity to even the country’s most remote communities.
“This is another step toward a future that is digital and inclusive,” the President said, stressing that access to connectivity is no longer a privilege but a necessity for social development, economic growth, and national resilience.
Addressing executives from Globe and Starlink, Marcos underscored the administration’s resolve to bridge the digital divide, noting that expanded connectivity can unlock new opportunities, improve public services, and strengthen disaster preparedness across the archipelago.
At the heart of the partnership is the Direct-to-Cell (DTC) service, a pioneering technology that will allow satellite-powered mobile connectivity directly to smartphones without the need for additional hardware or specialized applications. Once connected to Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit satellites, users will be able to access basic internet, messaging, and data services.
The DTC service will be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia and only the second in Asia, positioning the Philippines at the forefront of satellite-enabled mobile connectivity in the region.
Marcos highlighted the technology’s importance during natural disasters, when typhoons and other calamities often knock out cell towers and disrupt traditional communication networks. He said the service could prove crucial in maintaining communication lines when they are needed most.
The President also reiterated the government’s broader digital agenda, which includes strengthening national digital infrastructure, accelerating digitalization across government agencies, improving online learning platforms, and supporting rural development.
He emphasized that faster and more reliable internet access in the countryside could help generate jobs, attract investments, and bring essential services closer to Filipinos outside urban centers.
Marcos urged both public and private sector partners to keep people at the core of every technological innovation, saying meaningful progress happens when collaboration is guided by a shared purpose.
“What Globe and Starlink are doing today brings us closer to a truly connected Philippines,” he said. “When government and the private sector work together with intention, we expand what is possible for our people.”
The President closed his remarks with a call for deeper cooperation as the country builds what he described as a “Bagong Pilipinas,” where every Filipino can participate in and benefit from the digital economy.
Globe Telecom said the Globe–Starlink Direct-to-Cell service is targeted for launch in March this year.