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It may already be the year 2021, but when browsing the internet here in the Philippines, sometimes it feels like we’re lagging a few years behind. Although there have been some improvements recently, internet connectivity in the Philippines remains quite slow when compared to our SEA neighbors like Thailand and Singapore. The problem only gets worse when you’re living in the provinces and non-urban areas where getting a fast and smooth connection can be a real struggle.

UPDATE as of May 27, 2022: The NTC has approved the registration of Starlink Internet Services Philippines Inc. This means that we’re getting closer to the official launch.

But there is something on the horizon that can significantly improve internet connectivity in far-flung areas: Starlink. This is a new way of providing internet service from the mind of Elon Musk, famed CEO of SpaceX and Tesla. And it’s coming to the Philippines sooner than you think. Here is all you need to know about Starlink, from how it works to when it will be available in the Philippines. 

UPDATE: According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), SpaceX targets to deploy a Starlink gateway in PH by June 2022, before President Duterte’s term ends. According to its official website, it’s confirmed to arrive within Q4 of this year.

Starlink is a satellite internet service provider that works by sending data via radio signals sent through space instead of through cables or optical fibers. This is made possible by the network (or “constellation”) of satellites that SpaceX has developed and launched into low Earth orbit.  

Satellites far from Earth experience much higher latency, which is the time it takes to send data from one point to the next. Because Starlink satellites are launched in low orbit, they are 60 times closer to Earth, creating a high-speed, low-latency experience. 

There are currently over 1,200 satellites already in operation, creating a strong network beaming high-speed broadband. In the next few years, Starlink is planning to increase this number to up to 40,000 satellites, further improving the network’s data speeds. 

Because Starlink does not need to install wires for connectivity, it can potentially bring high-speed internet to poorly connected, “unreachable” areas. 

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Early Starlink adopters are provided a kit including everything needed for setup, such as the Starlink dish, WiFi router, power supply, cables, as well as tripod or roof mount. 

Once properly installed and set up, the Starlink dish connects and communicates with a Starlink satellite which provides high-speed broadband internet. You can imagine the connection between the two like a single beam. When the satellite moves, the beam also moves. And when there is an obstruction that interrupts the beam connection, your internet connection will also be interrupted. 

That is why it’s important that the Starlink dish be set up in a place where there are no obstructions (like trees or poles) to achieve a clear field of view for the dish. Fortunately, there is also a Starlink app that helps you find the perfect location where to set up your Starlink.

While Starlink can potentially serve everyone around the world, the ones that will benefit the most from the satellite internet service are those that live in far-flung and non-urban locations. These areas are usually underserved by different internet service providers because it is costly and difficult to bring their land-based infrastructure to these remote locations. 

For those living in cities and densely populated areas, Starlink in its beta version may not offer such a big improvement when compared to current fiber optics technology. Starlink also requires a clear field of view which may be challenging to achieve in urban areas. 

“Important to note that cellular will always have the advantage in dense urban areas,” according to Elon Musk. “Satellites are best for low to medium population density areas.”

So for those living in locations where fiber optics won’t be going available any time soon, Starlink is a promising alternative that can bring high-speed, low-latency internet to your area. 

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In its beta version, Starlink can offer data speeds varying from 50Mbps to 150Mbps and latency from 20ms to 40ms. 

As Starlink continues to develop by launching more satellites and installing more ground stations, data speed and latency are expected to improve dramatically. 

Starlink is already available in beta version in select countries in North America, Europe, and Australia. However, there are immediate plans of expanding its coverage to countries in Asia and South America, with the goal of reaching “most of Earth by the end of the year, all by next year”, said Musk.

The Philippines is one of the countries that Starlink is eyeing to launch its services sometime in 2022, although there are no exact dates or details yet of when the service will be commercially available. 

What we know is that Starlink has already been in talks with some government officials about the coverage of the Philippines in its satellite broadband. Starlink is also working up a partnership with Converge ICT to complement the latter’s fiber technology. This partnership is set to bring high-speed internet to people in areas unreachable by Converge’s technology.

UPDATE: The Starlink website confirmed that the service will be available in the Philippines by Q4 2022.

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Can I already reserve a Starlink?

While there are no exact dates yet for when Starlink will come to the country, you can already pre-order and reserve your Starlink so you can be one of the first ones to test the service when it finally arrives. 

You can reserve your spot by placing a fully refundable deposit of $99 (around Php5,000) via the Starlink website. Once the service becomes available in the Philippines (targeted in 2022), you will then be able to order for your Starlink.

The Starlink kit (the satellite dish, WiFi router, among others) is available for $499 (around Php25,350), plus taxes and shipping fee. The monthly service costs $99.      

UPDATE: As of March 2022, Starlink hiked the starter kit price to $599 (~Php31,000). The monthly service fee also increased to $110 (~Php5,800)

Although the future of Starlink rollout here in the Philippines is still uncertain, we are anticipating that when it launches, millions of people, even in the most far-flung areas, will benefit from the satellite internet service. 

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  1. I’m still waiting to see the outcome of this. It’s cool no doubt, but they’ll still rely on a base station in the Philippines to provide bandwidth for their subscribers. Which basically still means slow internet. They can have all the base stations they want, but if they still depend on slow undersea cable bandwidth, it will be slow, and that’s exactly what they are required to use. And it’s expensive. I’m sure it’s better than my current satellite connection though.

  2. maybe for 5k cap, 5-families can also use for one sat.dish and router, in that way, ea. family can pay 1k/mo. (divided into 5)

  3. Apparently, musk has not been told that most people in the Philippines earn around 4,000 pesos per MONTH.

    If you work 7 days per week and take home a total of HALF the monthly fee, then how will anyone afford this service?

    It gets much worse the further outside the cities his service goes. Many people in the poorer provinces make less than 4 US dollars per day! The amount of people capable of such high monthly fees, must be a ratio of 1/10,000!

    This will be similar to the giant cities and highways in nkorea, where the highways look great, but virtually nobody is driving on it!

  4. I hate to say that the price is way above high given that people here is no that rich, perfect service actually and i hope that there will be an option to have a lower plan, idk @elonmusk will definitely consider it.

  5. I’m a stranded American living in the Philippines since 2006. I have a small pension from Uncle Sam which is enough to eat and go to boracay once a year. Speed of internet is very bad in my area. I was so excited about the coming of Starlink but now seeing rates I realized I cannot afford it. Please Elon be good

    1. Seriously? 5k php a month? And the target are rural areas where most people live earning less than 10k php a month? Musk have been snorting star dust again

      1. Start by being respectful instead of acting like an immature little kid. Then maybe, Elon will look into the pricing and start thinking, “yes maybe I need to slash the prices by 90%, so I can migrate majority of not all internet users in the Philippines.”

        So start acting nice, who knows what good things may come your way.

      2. Starlink,5k a month can serve the entire school or baranggay. So many people can share it thru modem

    2. How are you stuck here? I too am stuck, and the VA has decided to terminate all opioid medications for veterans living in the Philippines! It’s a disgusting plan to force us to abandon our family, our homes and just move CONUS, so they can finally shut down that clinic.

      This is one of the most ruthless, evil decisions ever made by the VA! How those monsters sleep at night, knowing the dangers of stopping opioids cold turkey, the withdrawal symptoms, the pain and I believe ultimately the suicides by desperate veterans who see no other way out. As the pain increases without relief and the meds are withheld for ignorant, uncaring reasons, I honestly believe that the Philippines will become the highest of any clinic in VA system.

      Sad when the VA violates the first rule of medicine, do no harm..

    3. Start by being respectful instead of acting like an immature little kid. Then maybe, Elon will look into the pricing and start thinking, “yes maybe I need to slash the prices by 90%, so I can migrate majority of not all internet users in the Philippines.”

      So start acting nice, who knows what good things may come your way. W

  6. Way too expensive for the majority of Filipino internet users. Hope Starlink considers how to make their services affordable. Even the better off professionals, I doubt, would subscribe to Starlink’s relatively exorbitant charges.

  7. Filipino’s are poor, Philippines is a poor country, I hate to say it b/c I really really want this internet there, however, people there can not afford this cost. When most there worry about making enough money to eat for the day.

    1. I’m sorry for you saying those things. There are lot’s of poor people in the Philippines 🇵🇭. But then there are over 100 million people are living there and not all of them can’t afford starlink. Just look how congested the roads are if you understand what I mean

      1. Imagine about 2% (2,000,000) of population at least have connection especially Island Resorts —> with expat checking accounts, it will be big lift to tourism.

    2. Imagine about 2% (2,000,000) of population at least have connection especially Island Resorts —> with expat checking accounts, it will be big lift to tourism.