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The facade of the PLDT building in Makati on May 09, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

PLDT unfazed by more direct-to-cell satellite service

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Telco giant PLDT said it is unfazed by the potential arrival of direct-to-cell satellite service companies in the country, as well as by the existing partnership between rival Globe and Starlink for the said internet service.</p><p>At PLDT’s media briefing on its first-quarter financial and operating results, PLDT Chief Operating Officer Menardo Jimenez Jr. said the direct-to-cell or direct-to-device satellite service is still not reliable. He said he doesn’t think people will pay extra fees for a slow service that may not be used regularly.</p><p>“We are not as scared of the direct-to-cell at this particular point in time,” Jimenez said</p><p>He noted, for example, that it will take at least 4 minutes to send an SMS message using the direct-to-cell service, and that it would be difficult to watch a YouTube video. He described the service as a really bad customer experience.</p><p>Jimenez, however, clarified that this is his stand for now and he expects the service will improve in the future. They will wait for the technology to improve. Currently, he feels there is no urgency to expand direct-to-device internet service.</p><p>A direct-to-cell satellite service allows one’s LTE mobile phone to connect to the internet even without a signal, provided it has a line of sight to the sky. PLDT/Smart has partnered with Lynk Global for field tests of the direct-to-device satellite communication service. </p><p>Rival Globe and Starlink have also announced a partnership providing the said service. The service is expected to begin in June, initially for Android devices. Globe Chief Commercial Officer Darius Jose Delgado announced the initial pricing at P99 for 30 days and P299 pesos for 90 days, &quot;which we believe are fit for purpose and fit for the segment.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/3/17/globe-says-starlink-cell-tower-in-space-pilot-test-successful-1028" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Globe says Starlink &#x27;cell tower in space&#x27; pilot test successful</a></div><p>Aside from Starlink, Information and Communication Technology Secretary Henry Aguda said Amazon LEO may also be launched in the Philippines this year. Amazon Leo, or low Earth orbit is similar to Starlink, offering low orbit satellite Internet connection.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/4/15/dict-after-starlink-amazon-leo-eyes-philippine-entry-1818" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DICT: After Starlink, Amazon Leo eyes Philippine entry</a></div>

<p>Telco giant PLDT is unfazed by the potential arrival of direct-to-cell satellite service companies in the country.</p>

Telco giant PLDT is unfazed by the potential arrival of direct-to-cell satellite service companies in the country.

PLDT says unfazed by direct-to-cell satellite service

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PLDT says unfazed by direct-to-cell satellite service

Jekki Pascual,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 15, 2026 01:14 PM PHT

Read More:

direct-to-satellite

internet

PLDT

Globe

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