Packworks, a Filipino startup that offers a business-to-business (B2B) fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) marketplace for sari-sari stores, launched SariLink in partnership with the international non-profit organization Help.NGO to provide fast and reliable low Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity through Starlink Internet to close the digital divide and boost local entrepreneurship in the Philippines.
The partnership, in its pilot run, installed LEO communication terminals in select micro-retail stores in Catanduanes. The strategic move empowers small entrepreneurs in the far-flung areas of the island to be digitally connected by leveraging innovative solutions provided by the Packworks platform.
The SariLink program is designed to bridge the digital gap that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) often face due to unreliable internet access.
The newly installed LEO connection through Starlink can achieve speeds up to 220 Mbps download and 80 Mbps upload, allowing stores in Catanduanes to have access to tools to digitize their operations, including pricing tools, inventory management and sales and revenue tracking.
They are also able to process digital payments and access vital inventory financing services to help them grow their businesses.
Store beneficiaries enrolled in the SariLink program will be monitored for sales growth using Amazon Web Services (AWS) data analytics to ensure they receive the right support to optimize their operations and grow their businesses effectively.
The “Better Internet for All Filipinos” 2024 report by the World Bank indicates that despite recent advancements, the Philippines is still lagging behind neighboring countries in Southeast Asia (SEA) in terms of internet connectivity. The report highlights that issues of affordability, speed, and access create a disparate digital landscape.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that Internet access and speed are significantly lower in rural regions, underscoring the challenge of reaching geographically isolated and rural areas.