As the nation continues to embrace digitalization and connection, the Philippines' online environment has seen considerable changes recently. World Bank data show that in 2020, almost 50% of the population used the internet, which, compared to the lead-up years, represents a continually increasing internet usage rate in the Philippines.
Despite this growing demand for internet access, the quality of internet connectivity in the Philippines remains a major concern. According to the recent Speedtest Global Index, the country's average broadband internet speed of 90.57 Mbps is ranked 41st in the world. Moreover, internet connectivity in rural and remote areas is often slow and unreliable, limiting their access to digital services and thus hindering their development.
The Philippines has invested heavily in building out its internet backbone in terms of infrastructure, with major telecom providers like PLDT, Globe Telecom and Converge ICT expanding their fiber optic networks to bring high-speed internet connectivity to more regions of the nation.
In 2022, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) approved the registration of Starlink, a satellite internet service offered by SpaceX. The Philippines is the first country in Southeast Asia to have the Starlink service. In a statement, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said: “The NTC is steadfast in helping ensure that roll-out of Starlink’s internet access services will be done expeditiously and professionally.”
On February 22, SpaceX announced that the internet service is now live in the Philippines. According to a statement by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Starlink has 3,580 operational satellites so far. But the company aims to have as many as 40,000 satellites operating in the future.
That being said, only a small number of clients in the Philippines will initially have access to Starlink. The service is still in its early stages, so it might take some time before it is generally accessible throughout the nation.
DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy is optimistic that the additional player in the country’s internet landscape “will be a gamechanger.” Starlink is expected to augment and complement existing broadband capacities, enabling faster broadband speed and better connectivity, particularly in areas where connectivity has been difficult or impossible.
Mr. Uy noted, “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.”
When operational, Starlink is expected to provide remote locations in the country without traditional internet infrastructure access to high-speed internet connectivity. Filipinos living in rural and isolated places, who have long struggled with poor and inconsistent internet connectivity, have been optimistic about the new service and its possibilities.
Starlink works by deploying a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), which communicate with ground stations and user terminals to provide internet connectivity. The service offers speeds of up to 200 Mbps, which is significantly faster than the average internet speed in the Philippines. Moreover, Starlink claims to provide internet connectivity with low latency, which is important for applications such as online gaming and video conferencing.
However, the service comes with a hefty price tag, which may limit its accessibility to many Filipinos. Starlink charges an upfront fee of around $520 (₱ 29,320) for the user terminal, which is required to access the service, as well as a monthly subscription fee of around $49 (₱2,700) after an initial 30-day free trial. While this may be affordable for some, it may be too expensive for many Filipinos, particularly those living in rural and remote areas.
DICT Secretary Uy said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency, “These things do not need to be in individual homes; they can be shared by the community. I think that is strategic.”
The addition of Starlink also increases competition among internet service providers in the Philippines. Currently, the market is dominated by major telecom providers such as PLDT, Globe Telecom and Converge ICT. However, with the entry of Starlink, these providers may face increased pressure to improve their internet services and prices in order to remain competitive.
In the Philippines, digitization and innovation can be accelerated with better internet connectivity. Businesses may grow their digital services and reach new markets with quicker, more dependable internet. More students having access to online learning resources can also improve their online education. Additionally, it is possible to speed up the development of cutting-edge ideas and technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence that require high-speed internet connectivity. Numerous benefits await as the nation strives for more connectivity.