SpaceX’s Starlink Internet Service Now Available in the Philippines

SpaceX, the space exploration company founded by tech billionaire Elon Musk, announced on Wednesday, February 22 that its Starlink Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet service is now available in the Philippines. This move has been highly anticipated by Filipino internet users, as Starlink is expected to provide a more affordable and reliable option for high-speed internet access.

In a tweet by SpaceX, “Available na ngayon ang Starlink sa Pilipinas”, the announcement has generated significant interest and excitement among Filipino users who have been looking for alternatives to traditional internet providers.

The Philippines is among the first countries in Southeast Asia to have access to Starlink’s internet service, which uses a constellation of LEO satellites to provide high-speed broadband connectivity. In addition, the Philippines has been identified as a key market for Starlink, given the country’s geography and the lack of reliable internet infrastructure in many areas.

Starlink’s service is expected to be particularly attractive to users in remote areas, as it uses satellites positioned in LEO rather than the conventional and more expensive underground fiber optic cables. This makes it possible for Starlink to provide high-speed broadband access to areas where traditional internet providers cannot offer reliable service.

The pricing for Starlink comes with an initial price of P29,320 for the hardware while P2,700 per month for connectivity service with a download speed of 50-200 Mbps. The service has a 30-day trial period and no lock-in contract. Shipping of the hardware will take 2-3 weeks after the order has been placed.

The Department of Trade and Industry has welcomed the arrival of Starlink in the Philippines, stating that the country is “proud to be the first in Southeast Asia to have this innovative technology.” The availability of Starlink’s internet service in the Philippines is also expected to benefit various sectors, including education, healthcare, and business, which rely heavily on high-speed internet connectivity.