Globe Telecom has deployed satellite-to-mobile connectivity in parts of Southern Mindanao following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that disrupted telecommunications services across the region, marking the company’s first use of the technology for disaster response in the Philippines.
The service, deployed in partnership with Starlink, is now available in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani after Globe secured a demonstration permit from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
The initiative aims to support emergency communications while the company’s terrestrial network remains affected by power outages and infrastructure disruptions.
According to Globe, more than 700,000 Globe and TM subscribers in the affected areas may benefit from the deployment.
The service will provide messaging through WhatsApp and SMS using existing Globe SIM cards and LTE-enabled phones. Globe said it will offer the service free of charge for up to 30 days while network restoration efforts continue.
The earthquake prompted the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to issue tsunami warnings for several coastal communities in Southern Mindanao.
Globe said network disruptions affected around 30 municipalities as commercial power interruptions impacted telecommunications facilities in several locations.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to support our kababayans in Mindanao and we hope that through the demo permits previously issued by the NTC, this deployment will demonstrate how this technology really works,” said Carl Cruz, president and CEO of Globe.
“This initial deployment will show how satellite-to-mobile technology can provide communications support and strengthen network resilience during these times,” he added.
Globe said it is coordinating with local government units and electric cooperatives to restore telecommunications services in the affected areas.
The company will also directly notify customers on how to access the satellite service. The deployment complements Globe’s broader disaster response efforts across Mindanao.
