Filipino-owned Smart Citi Teknologi (SCT) has partnered with Silkwave Inc. of Hong Kong to bring high orbit satellite broadband Internet and digital multi-media connectivity in the country with estimated initial investment of $350 million to $400 million. SCT President Mario P. Marcos and Silkwave CEO Charles C. Wong signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement last Thursday, April 27, at the Manila Bulletin to formalize the venture.

Silkwave CEO Charles C. Wong (left) and SCT President Mario P. Marcos shake hands after signing the Strategic Partnership Agreement on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at the Manila Hotel.

SCT is a Philippine-based information technologies and digital technologies integrator as well as  Industry Revolution 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 consulting company. Its partner Silkwave is a Hong Kong-listed company providing satellite-based internet multimedia. Silkwave owns the world’s only -L-band mobile data broadcasting/multicasting satellite “Asia-Star” that provides groundbreaking satellite-5G Converged technology, capable of delivering vast of IP-based digital infotainment. In ASEAN, Silkwave is focusing on developing Internet broadband and digital multimedia connectivity to remote and rural areas. At the press conference, Wong said that the high-orbit satellite alone would require $350 million to $400 million investments on top of the cost for the technology rollout, but which he said may not need big capital as they all the necessary infrastructure in place already. The partnership is in time for the forthcoming completion of its second satellite “Silkwave-1”, which is expected be launched in 2025 to replace the existing “Asia-Star”. The new satellite will feature 100 times connectivity speed at scalable level to service the mass market. The project aims to provide satellite-based multimedia connectivity targeting villages, smart cities and government applications in the Philippines. Services will include high-speed Internet connectivity with unlimited real-time download, and low-cost multimedia to individual users anytime anywhere with no streaming cost. Wong explained that individual subscribers will not be charged based on their data consumption, but  for the specific apps that they will use only. Unlike the proposed low-orbit satellite Internet connectivity of Elon Musk’s Starlink, Wong said they will only need one satellite to provide large scale coverage in Asia. He, however, said that they are focusing in the Philippines and Indonesia, which combined would account for 60 percent of the entire ASEAN. For his part, Marcos said they are also targeting government institutions. Marcos said they have conducted initial talks with government offices, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Since the L-Band connectivity offers highly reliable services even in the most adverse weather conditions, the group offers some services to the Philippine government. One is the provision of real time accurate weather forecasts and updates to ensure fast response before, during and the aftermath of calamities. It will offer real-time maritime weather information and public broadcasting. It also seeks to help provide better services in education and healthcare. As “proof of concept”, Marcos announced that SCT and Silkwave would conduct a pilot test the L-Band satellite-based connectivity to one province, one city, and one university with estimated investments of at least $10 million. He said the initial rollout can be done in 30 to 60 days.