MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced that SPACE EXPLORATION Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) is preparing to enter the Philippine market and is now doing preliminary operations such as site selection.

The DTI announced in a statement that the Philippines will be the first country in Southeast Asia to use SpaceX’s Starlink Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network constellation.

Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Ramon Lopez stated in a Viber message to trade reporters on Thursday that SpaceX is likely to formally open its operations here in the last three months of the Duterte administration.

“They (SpaceX) indicated that the signing of the amended Public Service Act (PSA), which enables up to 100 percent foreign ownership of public services in the country, was a critical factor in the company’s decision to invest, as all its technologies are proprietary,” the DTI said in a statement.

This technology will provide users with high-speed satellite broadband connectivity, particularly in locations where connectivity has previously been difficult or unattainable, the department said. 

As of mid-2021, it had over 1,600 satellites in its network, with plans to add thousands more mass-produced tiny satellites in LEO that connect with specified ground transceivers, the DTI added. 

SpaceX’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network constellation, Starlink, will deliver internet services in the country, with over 1,600 satellites as of the middle of 2021.

“Their system will augment as well as complement existing broadband capacities. This will further capacitate micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), facilitate online learning, e-commerce and fintech,” Lopez said.

He added that having satellite internet services in the country will help growth in rural areas where internet connectivity is limited – WhatALife! / Francis

Source: (pna.gov.ph)

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