R.I.P. to buffering?
The National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) has approved the registration of Starlink Internet Services Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX. This allows Starlink to operate as an internet service provider (ISP) in the country.
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The commission said they approved Starlink as a value-added service (VAS) provider. Its registration allows it to now directly access satellite systems, as well as construct and operate broadband facilities.
This means the Philippines will become the first country in Southeast Asia to offer Starlink’s satellite internet services.
“The NTC is steadfast in helping ensure that roll-out of Starlink’s internet access services will be done expeditiously and professionally,” NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said in a statement.
The commission expects Starlink to offer high-speed, low-latency satellite internet service with download speeds ranging from 100 to 200 megabits per second (Mbps).
To scale, the median download speed for fixed broadband connections in the Philippines is 55.21 Mbps. This is based on Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index as of April 2022.
Among existing local ISPs, however, Smart had the fastest median 5G download speed in the Philippines. During the first quarter of 2022, it reached 200.43 Mbps.
Wider access
“[We expect Starlink] to cover villages in urban and suburban areas and rural areas that remain unserved or underserved with internet access services. [We expect the service] to bring cost-effective internet access in these areas,” Cordoba said.
Lawyer and SpaceX counsel Bien Marquez added that the NTC acted efficiently. In fact, it issued the VAS license just 30 minutes after they submitted their application with complete requirements.
“This shows the government’s seriousness in addressing the connectivity needs of our country in unserved and underserved areas. This will also prepare us in the event of natural disasters and calamities,” Marquez said.
Banner Photo via SpaceX’s Instagram