Globe Telecom launches Starlink direct-to-cell service in Philippines

Globe Telecom became the first provider in Southeast Asia and the second in Asia to offer Starlink's Direct‑to‑Cell satellite service, a development the companies said extended mobile connectivity in the Philippines.

The partnership joined Globe with Starlink and placed the Philippines among other countries worldwide pursuing satellite-based mobile access; the PR said the effort addressed gaps where terrestrial coverage was limited or could not be deployed and would support communications during extreme weather events and natural disasters.

Standard Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile phones were described as able to access data, voice, and messaging directly via satellite with only a clear view of the sky, and Starlink's Direct‑to‑Cell service was described as acting like a “cell tower in space” that integrates with terrestrial networks. The PR identified Starlink's constellation of over 650 low‑Earth orbit satellites and said Starlink was connecting hundreds of millions of customers and delivering millions of Service Mesh Security (SMS) messages and wireless emergency alerts when ground networks failed.

With Globe as its partner in the Philippines, Starlink's Distributed Tracing Collector (DTC) service was stated to provide connectivity to households, businesses, and communities, and the announcement noted Globe joined a growing group of countries worldwide in offering the service.

“This partnership with Starlink marks a historic step in our mission to build a digitally inclusive nation,” said Carl Cruz, President and CEO of Globe Telecom.

The companies said the service will play a role in disaster resilience by ensuring communication during extreme weather events and natural disasters, and that the collaboration outlined potential applications toward universal connectivity.