Provisional authority for Starlink to bridge digital divide in PH

Starlink Mission (Photo By Official SpaceX Photos, CC0)

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Senate has adopted a resolution urging the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to grant Starlink Internet Services Philippines provisional authority to operate.

In approving Senate Joint Resolution No. 3 on Monday evening, senators emphasized Starlink’s potential to address the country’s digital divide, particularly in underserved and remote areas.

Senator Grace Poe underscored the need for a reliable and accessible internet, describing it as a universal human right.

“Connectivity is not a privilege but a gateway to countless other human rights,” Poe said in her sponsorship speech.

She noted that 65 percent of Filipinos remain unconnected, despite government efforts such as the Free Public Wi-Fi Program and the National Fiber Backbone Project.

Poe said infrastructure challenges have left the Philippines ranking 56th out of 169 countries in the 2024 Internet Poverty Index, and the country lags behind its Southeast Asian neighbors in both internet affordability and performance.

“The entry of Starlink, authorized by the NTC in 2022, has enabled access to remote communities through satellite technology, eliminating the need for costly infrastructure,” she said. “Allowing Starlink to build ground stations in the country will maximize its existing services.”

Poe also emphasized its critical role in ensuring reliable internet for the 2025 elections, as tapped by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

Senator Joel Villanueva supported the resolution, citing a 2024 World Bank report that ranked the Philippines’ internet as the most expensive in Southeast Asia despite being among the slowest.

“Granting provisional authority to Starlink offers a significant opportunity to make internet access faster, more reliable, and affordable for all Filipinos,” Villanueva said.

He added that better connectivity would enhance education, healthcare, commerce, and government services, aligning with the country’s digital transformation agenda.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian echoed the importance of Starlink’s services, particularly during disasters.

“When typhoons, earthquakes, or floods destroy traditional telecommunications infrastructure, satellite networks remain operational,” Gatchalian said.

He also stressed the importance of internet access in empowering remote communities with better opportunities for education, jobs, and communication.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri echoed the sentiments of his colleagues, saying that Starlink’s satellite-based telecommunications services could bring cellphone connectivity even in the most isolated areas.

“I’ve seen what Starlink has done in nations without internet access — napakaganda (it’s impressive),” he said.