Globe has expanded its partnership with satellite-direct-to-phone (sat2phone) company Lynk, launching a live customer pilot program to assess the potential of satellite-direct-to-phone communication services in remote places in the Philippines.
The recent signing of the new agreement signifies a crucial step towards enhancing connectivity and communication access within the country, particularly in unserved and underserved areas. The collaboration began this month and will run until June 2025, with a live pilot trial launch anticipated within this year.
The program will utilize Lynk’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to deliver SMS, IP messaging apps, and emergency alerts to target regions currently lacking traditional terrestrial network coverage. These regions include far-flung locations with existing Globe enterprise clients and government installations, as well as tourist destinations with limited or unreliable cellular coverage.
Globe aims to pilot the service in Zambales, Pangasinan, Siargao, and Leyte.
“In line with our goal of empowering Filipinos through digital technology, we are looking for a solution to bring life-enabling connectivity to as many Filipinos as possible. Through this satellite-direct-to-phone service, we hope to provide access wherever our customers are, connecting the unconnected through disruptive technology,” said Gerhard Tan, Senior Director and Head of Network Strategy and Innovations.
“We are delighted to bring Lynk’s transformational sat2phone service to the Philippines with Globe as our partner. As a country with over 7,641 islands, Lynk’s ability to provide mobile coverage for mobile customers directly from our network of LEO satellites helps connect more people in more places,” said James Alderdice, VP, Asia-Pacific at Lynk.
In 2022, Globe signed a Non-Commercial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lynk to conduct Proof of Concept (PoC) testing for the Satellite-Direct-to-Phone (sat2phone) Service using low earth orbit satellites in signal-deprived areas of Bataan. This PoC was successfully completed on February 21, 2023.
During the onsite testing, Globe and Lynk successfully sent and received SMS notifications, transmitted messages outside the test location, and broadcast emergency alerts via a Low Earth Orbit satellite using standard mobile phones. The latency was within acceptable limits, and the overall results were promising.
As part of the collaboration, Globe and Lynk will also evaluate service viability in maritime routes, disaster zones, fishing grounds, and other areas that need improved connectivity through extended communication solutions.
The initiative will utilize typical mobile phones of customers participating in the pilot. Through data collected on customer behavior, Lynk can gain valuable insights they could use to design a commercially viable product that aligns with the deployment dynamics of satellite-direct-to-phone communication.
Globe continues to reinforce its commitment to delivering communications services to as many Filipinos as possible. By harnessing the power of satellite technology, Globe is poised to redefine connectivity and bring people closer together.
