Dedicated PH internet satellites to arrive soon, Marcos says

SAN FRANCISCO, USA - President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Thursday (PH Time) that the Philippines will soon have a satellite dedicated to improving internet connections in far-flung areas of the country.

This came after Astranis and Orbits forged an agreement that will bring internet connectivity to unserved and underserved areas in the Philippines by launching the MicroGEO satellites.

“Astranis and Orbits have also joined forces to bring internet connectivity to unserved and underserved areas in the Philippines. This $400 million partnership will help bridge our digital divide and foster our digital transformation,” Marcos said after the signing of the agreement at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Through the partnership, Orbits and Astranis will deploy the first two internet satellites dedicated to the Philippines. 

It is also expected to generate US$400 million investment over the next eight years.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, the MicroGEO satellites can cover up to 10 million users and 30,000 barangays.

It is also projected to create more than 10,000 jobs for direct and indirect employees and partners.

During the event, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez said the official name of the first satellite is “Agila” in order to foster the spirit of technological advancements and strengthening international partnerships.

He said the selection of the name Agila “holds deep significance embodying the project’s unwavering commitment to connecting and empowering the Filipino nation through the expansion of access to the digital world.” 

The officials present during the event were US Commerce Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Pamela Phan, Founder and CEO John Gedmark, Asia Pacific Astranis Space Technologies Corp. Commercial Sales Director Ajmair Heer, and Co-founder-Engineer Atty. Augusto Baculio. —VAL, GMA Integrated News