Globe, in partnership with Starlink, has deployed its satellite-to-mobile service in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the provinces. The deployment is intended to support emergency communications and disaster response efforts in the affected areas, following Globe’s approval under a demo permit issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
The deployment marks Globe’s first use of Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile technology for disaster and emergency response in the Philippines. More than 700,000 Globe and TM customers are expected to benefit from the initiative, which will provide messaging access through WhatsApp and SMS when communication services are needed most.
Globe said the service will be offered free of charge for up to 30 days as critical support for affected communities while restoration efforts continue and network services are fully restored.
Supporting Emergency Communications
“We are grateful for the opportunity to support our kababayans in Mindanao and we hope that through the demo permits previously issued by the NTC, this deployment will demonstrate how this technology really works,” said Carl Cruz, president and chief executive officer of Globe.
“This initial deployment will show how satellite-to-mobile technology can provide communications support and strengthen network resilience during these times.”
Responding to Network Disruptions
The earthquake prompted the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to issue tsunami warnings for several coastal communities in Southern Mindanao. The disaster also caused network disruptions across multiple provinces, affecting around 30 municipalities as commercial power interruptions impacted telecommunications facilities in several locations.
Restoration and Customer Support
Globe said it is working closely with local government units and electric cooperatives to restore services in the hardest-hit areas. Customers in affected locations will receive instructions directly from Globe on how to connect to the satellite service using their existing Globe SIM cards and LTE-enabled smartphones.
The satellite deployment complements Globe’s broader disaster response and network restoration efforts across Mindanao.
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