(Starlink)

Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo has filed a measure in the House of Representatives that intends to provide fast and affordable Internet access in remote remote in the country by granting a legislative franchise to Starlink Philippines, Inc.--a subsidiary of SpaceX owned by American billionaire Elon Musk.

“Filipinos are among the world’s most avid internet users, yet ironically, the Philippines has one of the slowest and least reliable Internet infrastructures in Southeast Asia,” Salo said in a statement on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Under House Bill (HB) No.10954, the legislative franchise of Starlink will enable the company to construct and maintain ground stations and other infrastructure to enhance connectivity in the country through its satellite Internet services. 

Salo said the bill would leverage Starlink’s technology to provide “affordable and fast internet services”, particularly in rural and remote areas.

If enacted, the measure aims to mandate affordable pricing for underserved areas.

It would also set guidelines to ensure that the company adheres to the standards of data privacy protection, as provided in Republic Act (RA) No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act.

Based on the 2024 data from the Worldwide Broadband Speed League, the Philippines has now slipped to 92nd out of 229 countries in terms of Internet speed. This is six places down from its ranking last year.

Salo stressed that Starlink’s legislative franchise will not only improve internet access but also boost the country’s digital transformation. 

“We believe this partnership with Starlink will provide Filipinos with the reliable Internet service they deserve, allowing us to remain competitive globally in the digital age,” he said.

The lawmaker noted that poor access to the Internet has limited the opportunities available for Filipinos, particularly those from low-income households and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“By bridging this digital divide, we can better prepare our citizens for future jobs and improve the productivity of homegrown businesses,” he added.

Through HB No. 10954, Salo said Starlink will also be committed to investing in local communities by creating job opportunities through the construction of its facilities, as well as providing on-the-job training for Filipino workers.

Starlink’s technology, which operates through a network of low-Earth orbit satellites, is particularly suited to the archipelagic geography of the Philippines since conventional infrastructure often has difficulty reaching remote areas.

According to Salo, the proposed legislative franchise will be in addition to Starlink’s accreditation as a Satellite Systems Provider and Operator, and registration as a Value-Added Service Provider in the country.

Ultimately, this will enable the company to expand its services and help provide millions of underserved Filipinos with fast and reliable Internet access, he said.

“We hope for a swift passage of this bill as it holds great potential in providing equal opportunities to all Filipinos, regardless of where they are located,” Salo underscored.