EXPLAINER: How does direct-to-cell satellite service work? 

The Philippines is the first Southeast Asian country to roll out direct-to-cell (DTC) satellite service to reach remote areas.

But how does this work?

Currently, we communicate with our smartphones through cell towers built on the ground by telecommunication companies.

But this latest technology will allow standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites in space for calls, data, video, and texting, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said.

So instead of building cell towers on land, you can communicate through low-Earth orbit satellites.

The DICT partnered with local telecommunications firm Globe Telecom Inc., and Elon Musk’s Starlink Mobile for this initiative.

The department then noted that cell towers on the ground are prone to damage during disasters, hence, lines can be down. But with direct-to-cell satellite service, making calls and sending messages are still possible because of the satellites.

Starlink has 650 low-Earth orbit satellites that power data, calls, videos, and messaging across the globe.

Globe Telecom on May 21 demonstrated its DTC satellite service with Starlink, linking Obando, Bulacan to Basilan through a video call and short message service.

A live trial was also conducted in March in parts of Rizal, Batangas, and Bataan.

Globe is set to launch its DTC satellite service with Starlink by June, initially for Android users. The packages to be offered are P99 for 30 days and P299 for 90 days. —LDF, GMA News