SpaceX will launch its new low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service under its Starlink constellation in the Philippines in December, a move to deliver connectivity to underserved communities in the archipelago nation.
Philippines News Agency reported, that the Elon Musk-owned company maybe be able to deploy Starlink internet hubs in Q1 of 2023 to bring free WiFi to citizens if satellites are launched a quarter before, stated the Department of Information and Technology (DICT) at a press conference in Manila.
Present at the press event was SpaceX government affairs senior manager Rebecca Hunter, who detailed Starlink users could tap into download speeds of 100 to 200Mbps, upload speeds of 30 to 40Mbps and latency of 20ms. This improves the average fixed broadband latency rate of 33ms, according to a Statista report.
The Philippines is challenging for operators to build traditional ground infrastructure due to it being made up of 7,640 islands.
The cost of Starlink kit is expensive for individuals to own which is why DICT will work to place them in the community shared spaces such as community centres, said DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy.
