Senator Grace Poe has filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2844 that seeks to grant a franchise to Starlink Internet Services Philippines Inc., allowing it to provide internet services, particularly in far-flung areas.
A legislative franchise is needed for the company to construct, maintain and operate satellite ground stations for the provision of broadband internet services.
“Starlink is seen to bridge the digital gap by providing satellite-based internet connectivity in areas not covered by traditional terrestrial networks and in remote areas where it is difficult to build telecommunications infrastructure,” according to Poe.
“The use of satellite technology is particularly well-suited in an archipelago like the Philippines, where large portions of the population live in rural areas and isolated islands,” she added.
As of June 2024, Starlink has more than 6,200 active satellites, representing half of all active satellites in orbit, allowing it to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, and video calls.
Starlink Philippines has been granted accreditation as a Satellite Systems Provider and/or Operator by the Department of Information and Communications Technology and registered as a Value-Added Service provider by the National Telecommunications Commission.
The franchise is seen to further improve its services by constructing and operating gateway earth stations.IMT
