Globe Telecom, Inc. is expanding its satellite-to-mobile connectivity service beyond the Philippines, allowing eligible Filipino travelers in Japan to connect through Starlink satellites when conventional cellular coverage is unavailable.
The service is being introduced through a partnership with Japan’s KDDI Corp., extending Globe’s existing Starlink connectivity program into international roaming. The arrangement is designed to provide a backup connection in areas where terrestrial mobile networks do not reach.
Under the new setup, Globe customers traveling in Japan can connect directly to Starlink Mobile satellites using compatible smartphones. The service does not require a separate satellite terminal or other specialized equipment, although users need a supported device and an unobstructed view of the sky for the satellite connection to work.
The satellite connection is intended primarily for essential communications and selected applications, including messaging and navigation. This means travelers in remote areas, including locations where conventional mobile coverage is limited or unavailable, can maintain basic connectivity without relying entirely on nearby cell towers or Wi-Fi.
Globe said the partnership with KDDI builds on its domestic Starlink rollout in the Philippines. The company received approval from the National Telecommunications Commission earlier this year to commercially operate satellite-to-mobile services nationwide, making it possible for compatible devices to connect to Starlink when outside conventional Globe coverage.
The Philippine service was developed partly in response to the country’s geography and vulnerability to natural disasters. Globe has highlighted satellite connectivity as a way to maintain communications in remote communities and areas where mobile infrastructure may be disrupted by earthquakes, typhoons and other emergencies.
The company has already used the technology in disaster response. Following a major earthquake in Mindanao, Globe deployed Starlink satellite-to-mobile connectivity in parts of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani, supporting communications for affected customers in areas where conventional networks were disrupted.
KDDI’s international Starlink service, meanwhile, has been expanded to the Philippines and New Zealand since Aug. 31. The Japanese telecommunications company said its customers can use supported satellite connectivity while traveling in areas beyond the reach of traditional cellular networks.
The partnership creates reciprocal connectivity between the two markets. Globe customers traveling in Japan can access satellite services through the arrangement, while KDDI customers traveling in the Philippines can likewise benefit from satellite connectivity when they move beyond conventional network coverage.
For travelers, the service could be particularly useful in remote destinations where mobile coverage can be difficult to maintain. KDDI cited outdoor and tourism activities in the Philippines, including island-hopping and diving in areas such as Palawan, as examples of locations where satellite connectivity can provide an additional communications option.
Globe’s international expansion comes as satellite-to-mobile technology becomes increasingly integrated with conventional telecommunications networks. Rather than replacing terrestrial networks, the service is being positioned as an additional layer of connectivity that can fill coverage gaps and provide communications when ordinary mobile service is unavailable.
The Philippine rollout also forms part of Globe’s broader push to expand connectivity beyond traditional infrastructure. By combining its existing mobile network with Starlink’s satellite coverage and international partnerships such as the agreement with KDDI, the company is seeking to extend access to areas that are difficult to serve through conventional cell towers alone.
For Filipino travelers visiting Japan, the development adds another connectivity option for remote locations, while the reciprocal arrangement gives Japanese travelers an additional way to stay connected when exploring parts of the Philippines beyond terrestrial mobile coverage.
