The Philippines has approved the registration of Starlink, a satellite internet services company operated by SpaceX, making it the first Southeast Asian country to have Starlink broadband access.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) approved Starlink as a “value-added service (VAS) provider” on Thursday, allowing the company to access satellite systems, and build and operate broadband facilities.
“This shows the government’s seriousness in addressing the connectivity needs of our countrymen in unserved and underserved areas. This will also prepare us in the event of natural disasters and calamities,” Marquez said.
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Starlink is a subsidiary of SpaceX, the U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer and space exploration company founded by Elon Musk. It has more than 1,500 low-orbit satellites designed to bring broadband services to remote areas.
NTC said that the swift processing of Starlink’s VAS provider registration “was meant to expedite the service’s immediate roll-out.”
“The NTC is steadfast in helping ensure that roll-out of Starlink’s internet access services will be done expeditiously and professionally,” NTC’s commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said.
According to local reports, Starlink would offer the Philippines low-latency satellite internet access ranging from 100 to 200 megabits per second. The company is expected to start operations before President Rodrigo Duterte’s term ends in June.
“Starlink is expected to cover villages in urban and suburban areas and rural areas that remain unserved or underserved with internet access services. The service is expected to bring cost-effective internet access in these areas,” Cordoba said.
The company has been in discussion with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) since May last year to bring the satellite internet services to Nigeria.
“Both licenses take effect from May 2022 and may be renewed after the expiration,” NCC stated, adding that the company will be trading as Starlink Internet Services Nigeria Ltd.