Elon Musk’s STARlink PH gets boost from House
The House of Representatives on Wednesday adopted a resolution seeking provisional authority for Elon Musk’s Starlink Internet Services Philippines Inc. to build, own and operate satellite ground stations pending the grant of a legislative franchise.
At an 11-hour plenary session, which began at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, lawmakers voted around 2 a.m. on Wednesday to adopt House Resolution (HR) No. 2207, calling on the National Telecommunications Commission to grant the authority.
HR 2207 was a consolidation of measures filed by Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Barba and the President’s son, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos.
The resolution allows Starlink Philippines, a subsidiary of the Tesla CEO’s space company SpaceX, to operate in the country while Congress is considering Starlink’s franchise.
Two bills—House Bill No. 10954 and Senate Bill No. 2844—have already been filed in both chambers, but lawmakers face time constraints with limited sessions before the start of the campaign period for the May elections.
Priority
HR 2207 underscored the priority given by President Marcos to internet connectivity in the Philippines, especially in remote and isolated areas to facilitate effective learning and efficient delivery of public services.
The measure cited an issuance by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the implementation of Executive Order No. 127, which mandated all value-added service and internet service providers to have direct access to satellite systems and authorization to build and operate broadband facilities to provide internet services.
The DICT’s circular, issued in 2021, set an accreditation framework for satellite service providers and/or operators to encourage them to establish, own, maintain and operate satellite ground stations within the country.
Starlink Philippines, according to the House resolution, was the “first accredited SSPO (or satellite service provider or operator)” in the Philippines and the first wholly foreign-owned company authorized to provide internet access services to Filipinos, showcasing the transformative potential of the current legal and regulatory landscape.
“The timely expansion of Starlink’s infrastructure is critical as its operations will be severely compromised if the said satellite ground stations are not allowed to be installed as soon as possible,” it added.
Lawmakers also noted that “Starlink’s internet service has proven beneficial to the Philippines and our government in addressing the country’s connectivity challenges,” particularly on Pag-asa Island and other remote towns.
