The deployment uses Starlink LEO satellites for Internet connectivity with a focus on public education and local governance, where students, teachers and the local government office will have free Internet connectivity for six months.
Starlink, the satellite-based Internet service of SpaceX, will become part of the mix of broadband sources that the government will tap to deliver the free WiFi program to the public.
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) secretary Ivan John E. Uy made a glowing endorsement of the Starlink satellite broadband service during a joint press briefing with US tech firm SpaceX on Wednesday, July 27, at the Manila Hotel.
The Philippines is set to be the first country in Southeast Asia to avail the services of Starlink broadband service which provides a low-Earth orbit satellite system designed to deliver broadband Internet connectivity with speeds between 100 to 200 Megabits per second (Mbps).
SpaceX is currently establishing a local Filipino entity that will be their wholly-owned subsidiary and is targeting to deploy three gateways in the first phase of their launch.
The Philippine government had a series of follow-up online meetings with the company, immediately following the Senate ratification of the proposed amendments to the Public Service Act (PSA), allowing full foreign ownership for satellite Internet services in the country and not requiring legislative franchise for public services.
Converge ICT founder and CEO Dennis Anthony Uy said the company is in close coordination with SpaceX but is also talking to a number of satellite broadband providers.
For subscribers to avail of the service, they have to pay a one-time fee of P36,000 for the connection kit and an installation fee of P6,000. Monthly subscription starts at P6,500 for 2Mbps speed.
Addressing news stories of its reported partnership with SpaceX, listed broadband provider Converge ICT said on Monday, Feb. 15, that is still “very premature” to discuss a deal to become the local partner for the US aerospace firm’s Starlink satellite broadband project.
