Starlink Internet Services Philippines Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), will delay the launch of commercial services in the country until the middle of 2023, as announced by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
During the 2022 Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Infrastructure Forum, DICT assistant secretary Philip Varilla said that "Starlink will be operational here in the Philippines by the middle of next year."
Varilla also added that the reason for the postponement is "because of the satellites that they are launching." He noted that Starlink needs to launch around 4,400 satellites. "It is very difficult to launch so many satellites. But they are saying that they can complete it and service the Philippines by that time."
In July 2022, Starlink announced it would launch its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet services in the country by December.
In May 2022, Starlink was approved by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) as a provider of value-added services (VAS).
According to the NTC, the Starlink service provides low-latency, high-speed satellite internet with download speeds between 100 megabits per second (Mbps) and 200 Mbps.
Using advanced satellites in a low orbit, the agency stated that Starlink would enable video calls, online gaming, streaming, and other high-data activities not previously possible with satellite internet.
For those unaware, low-orbit satellites are used to beam internet directly to users thru a household dish receiver and a special modem.
Starlink is intended to provide high-speed and dependable internet connectivity to remote areas where traditional fiber internet cannot reach due to infrastructure and cost constraints.
The DICT has already announced that it will use the technology for its Broadband ng Masa program, which aims to provide internet access to rural communities.
Recently, Starlink in the United States announced a price increase. From USD 499, the starter kit is now USD 599 (roughly PHP 35,400). The monthly fee rose from USD 10 to USD 110 (approximately PHP 6,500).
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) previously stated that the Philippines would be the first nation in Southeast Asia to utilize Starlink technology.
Via GMA News
0 Comments