After a delay, satellite internet constellation company Starlink is starting operations in the Philippines, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by billionaire Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX). Engineered by SpaceXStarlink, it boasts speeds of up to 200 Mbps and latency as low as 20ms for residential use.

Image from Starlink Wikipedia page

“In welcoming this new technology that is Starlink, our BroadBand ng Masa can now provide free high-speed internet access to our geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the Philippines, ensuring that no Filipino will be left behind,” said DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy.

DICT to deploy satellite connectivity in remote areas next year
Satellite firm SES launches O3b mPOWER to expand footprint in PH

Uy said that Starlink’s entry to the Philippines will be a gamechanger, stressing that Starlink will augment and complement existing broadband capacities, enabling faster broadband speed and better connectivity, particularly in areas where connectivity has been difficult or impossible.

With its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network constellation,Starlink can improve internet access in unserved and underserved areas in the country.

As of February 2023, Starlink is comprised of over 3,580 operational satellites. But the company aims to have as many as 40,000 satellites to be able to deliver high-speed, low-cost internet to remote regions across the globe.