First in Southeast Asia: DICT welcomes Musk’s Starlink to PH

Published February 24, 2023, 10:56 AM

by Charie Mae F. Abarca, MB

Billionaire Elon Musk’s Starlink operated by SpaceX is now in the Philippines, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) confirmed on Friday, Feb. 24, calling it a “game changer” in terms of enabling better internet connectivity, especially in remote areas. 

Ahead of the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s confirmation, SpaceX, on Wednesday, Feb. 22, announced the availability of Starlink’s services in the Philippines (Photo courtesy of SpaceX / Twitter)

DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy welcomed this development, stressing that Starlink will “complement” existing broadband capacities in the country, raising the chances of improving internet access across the nation. 

“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 Uy in an official statement on Friday.  

Broadband ng Masa is the ongoing project of DICT which seeks to ensure that all Filipinos have access to “efficient and effective” information and communications technology services in hopes of eradicating the so-called digital divide. 

As of writing, Starlink has 3,580 operational sites, but according to the DICT, it is aiming to establish around 40,000 satellites in order to fulfill its goal of providing “high-speed” and “low-cost” internet. 

The Philippines was the first country in Southeast Asia to offer Starlink’s internet services.