Globe has activated its satellite-to-mobile service in parts of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit the provinces, disrupting communications and power supply across several areas.
Globe partnered with Starlink to deploy the technology for emergency communications and disaster response after securing a demo permit from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
The service allows affected customers to send messages through SMS and supported apps like WhatsApp, giving residents a way to stay connected while network sites remain under repair.
The rollout marks the first use of Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile technology by Globe in the Philippines for disaster response.
More than 700,000 Globe and TM customers in the affected areas are expected to benefit from the temporary service, which will be offered for free for up to 30 days while restoration work continues.
“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 CEO of Globe.
“This initial deployment will show how satellite-to-mobile technology can provide communications support and strengthen network resilience during these times,” he added.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) earlier issued tsunami warnings for coastal communities in Southern Mindanao after the quake. Power interruptions also affected multiple municipalities, contributing to service disruptions in telecommunications facilities.
Globe said it is coordinating with local government units and electric cooperatives to restore services in affected areas as quickly as possible.
The company will directly inform customers on how to connect to the satellite service using existing Globe SIMs and LTE-enabled phones.
