#satellite communication

Globe has officially launched Starlink's satellite-to-mobile service in the Philippines after receiving approval from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), making it the first local telecom operator to commercially offer direct-to-device satellite connectivity in the country. It supports voice and video calls through supported apps, messaging apps, SMS, and basic navigation services using Starlink's low-Earth orbit satellites. According to Globe, the service works by allowing compatible LTE smartphones with an active Globe SIM to connect directly to Starlink satellites once they are outside Globe's terrestrial network coverage and have a clear view of the sky. Globe said the satellite service aims to help bridge communication gaps, especially in isolated communities and disaster-hit areas. Globe said the deployment helped restore emergency communications and benefited more than 150,000 customers. Satellite connectivity, the feature that lets you send texts and even make calls via satellite, has been more of a novelty until now, with only a handful of phones supporting it. According to code strings spotted by Android Authority, Samsung is inching toward adding satellite communication to its Galaxy smartphones. Specifically, “satellite mode” and “emergency text via satellite” have been found in Samsung’s Emergency SOS service, as well as in the Messages and Phone apps. Read more in our articles including "Globe rolls out Starlink Satellite-to-Mobile Service in the Philippines" and "New code suggests future Samsung Galaxy phones may get satellite connectivity".