Astranis, a California-based startup, plans to launch satellite-based internet connectivity services in the local market by 2024.
Another satellite internet service operator plans to launch the PH satellite.
According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Astranis intends to assist around 2 million Filipinos, with a focus on people living in underserved areas. As demonstrated by an Astranis spokesperson, the launch of multiple comsat will take place before the end of the year.
The spokesperson stated, “The satellite for the Philippines will be launched alongside four other Astranis MicroGEO satellites on a dedicated rocket, and we expect to be able to share details on the launch date and launch provider shortly.”
“As soon as those satellites are through the factory, we will begin the assembly, integration, and testing of the Philippine satellite,” the company spokesman continued.
With the first satellite, the American technology business expects to provide connectivity in over 5,000 areas across the country, and it hopes to launch additional service provider for greater coverage. To bring modern technologies to the country, Astranis is collaborating with internet service provider Orbits Corp. HTech Corp., the latter’s sister firm, is an internet service provider.
“We have been working with them to find a solution that will work for the Philippines,” said the spokesperson.
“Orbits is very capable and very experienced, with over 20 years of providing internet services to the Philippines. Having a local partner who understands the local landscape and the unique needs of a country is a critical factor for our success in any given market,” added the spokesperson. The corporation emphasized the importance of developing comsat-based internet infrastructure for the country in order to provide coverage in inaccessible places such as mountains and islands where traditional telecommunication towers or satellite are difficult to install.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology is working to deliver internet access to geographically distant and underserved areas, which account for 65 percent of the country. As a result, Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet Services Philippines was awarded a license to operate as a provider of internet services in the country last year. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) previously opened the market to Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet Services Philippines as part of the government’s push for a digital economy.
Meanwhile, Starlink has already been granted permission to operate as an internet service provider in the country beginning in 2022.
