Globe Telecom Inc. and Lynk Global said they completed the Philippines’ first voice call using a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite directly to a standard, unmodified mobile phone.
The achievement marks a significant step towards expanding communication in areas without traditional network coverage.
The live demonstration took place in Bagac, Bataan, a rural municipality with no terrestrial network. The positive results highlight satellite connectivity’s potential to bridge coverage gaps in geographically isolated, underserved and disaster-prone communities, Globe said.
“Globe revolutionizes connectivity by bringing next-wave solutions to the remotest areas, allowing families to be closer than ever,” said Gerhard Tan, senior director and head of technology strategy and innovations at Globe.
“This will bridge the digital gap while supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by providing innovative direct-to-device service in the hand of every Filipino,” said Tan.
The pilot trial was made possible through Globe’s partnership with Lynk Global, a leader in direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity. Lynk Global provides “cell towers in space” through a constellation of LEO satellites.
