Globe and TM subscribers may soon gain access to satellite-powered mobile connectivity through new prepaid promos spotted inside the GlobeOne and GCash app. Screenshots circulating online show Starlink offers that bundle text allocations with satellite data access for essential apps.
Why it Matters: Satellite-to-mobile connectivity could help address one of the Philippines’ long-standing problems: inconsistent signal coverage in remote provinces, islands, mountainous areas, and disaster-hit locations. Unlike traditional satellite internet systems that require dedicated hardware, direct-to-cell technology allows compatible smartphones to connect directly to satellites.
The appearance of the promos adds another development to Globe’s ongoing partnership with Starlink, which aims to bring direct satellite-to-mobile connectivity to the Philippines. While Globe has yet to formally announce these specific TM packages, their presence on GCash suggests that a broader rollout could be approaching.
Information we’ve seen both in the apps and online show two prepaid options:
- Globe or TM Starlink 99, which includes 100 texts and 2GB of satellite data valid for 30 days
- Globe or TM Starlink 299, which comes with 500 texts and 10GB of satellite data valid for 90 days.
Earlier this year, Globe confirmed that it completed a live pilot test of Starlink’s satellite-to-mobile service in parts of Rizal, Batangas, and Bataan. According to the company, the pilot enabled SMS, app-based voice calls, navigation, e-government access, GCash transactions, and messaging services such as Viber and WhatsApp in areas without terrestrial mobile coverage.
Globe also described the technology as a “cell tower in space” that connects directly to standard LTE smartphones through low-Earth orbit satellites. The company said the service is intended to improve communications in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, while also serving as backup connectivity during disasters and emergencies.
The newly spotted TM promos suggest that Globe may position satellite connectivity as a prepaid add-on instead of a premium-only offering. The PHP 99 package appears geared toward basic communication and emergency access, while the PHP 299 tier provides higher data allocation and longer validity.
The wording “satellite data access to essential apps” may also indicate that the service could initially focus on low-bandwidth applications such as messaging, navigation, digital payments, and emergency communication rather than full unrestricted internet access.
In a separate report by ABS-CBN News, Globe said its satellite-to-mobile initiative could help the company move closer to nationwide mobile coverage. The report also noted that the Philippines may become one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to commercially adopt the technology.
As of writing, Globe, TM, and GCash have yet to release complete details regarding compatible devices, supported apps, coverage areas, and official availability. Would satellite connectivity be something you would pay for if it meant having signal access in remote or disaster-prone areas?
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