MANILA — Prettty soon, affordable internet connectivity will be all over in this country of 119-million people, thanks to the dream of former Misamis Oriental Congressman Jun Baculio, Jr now President and CEO of Orbits Satellite Corporation.
Powered by Astranis Space Technologies Corporation, an American company specializing in geostationary communications satellites, headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA.
Orbits Satellite Corporation will get its satellites solely dedicated to the country to improve connectivity in far-flung areas.
This after Astranis and Orbits forged a collaboration to bring internet connectivity to unserved and underserved areas in the Philippines following the launch of MicroGEO satellites.
Baculio Jr. says Astranis and Orbits have 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, he says in full confidence.
Recently, no less President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had signed the partnership agreement between Orbits and Astranis.
Through the partnership, Orbits and Astranis will deploy the first two internet satellites dedicated to the Philippines, a program that is expected to generate US$400 million investment over the next eight years.
That said, Orbits Satellite is set to revolutionize internet connectivity in the Philippines and beyond, from classrooms to residential areas to airports, seaports and business establishments.
With the recently launched Agila satellite set to start transmission by May next year, Orbits Satellite Corporation is now focusing on a holistic level in affordable internet connectivity.
“Our ultimate goal is to serve the underserved areas of the country,” says Baculio Jr.
Its first satellite – christened by President Marcos himself as Agila – was launched December 20 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 at Cape Canaveral, Florida together with four other satellites from the United States.
Of the four, only Agila is the satellite dedicated for Internet connectivity in the rural areas of the Philippines.
Between now and May, Orbits Satellite Corporation is busy preparing the wide array of services that it can offer once Agila starts transmitting towards its operations hub headquartered at Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone in Subic, Zambales.
For starters, the company will be offering bundled satellite television and Internet services at a very affordable cost (P50 a month for high definition and standard TV channels and P350 for Internet at 200 mbps speed).
Baculio explains that unlike obsolete satellite TV companies which require one dish per household, Orbits Satellite Corporation can install one dish only that is capable of transmitting signal at a three-kilometer radius.
“We can put up the satellite dish in your municipal hall so everyone will share the access. That is why the cost per household is very affordable,” he stress.
The former congressman from Misamis Oriental is likewise looking forward forging an agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) for satellite TV in rural schools with one channel that is dedicated per grade level.
Orbits Satellite Corporation will also sign an agreement next year with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to be the Internet provider for all air traffic management across the country in a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.
These internet opportunities for Orbits Satellite Corporation are endless.
Just recently, investors from 27 French-speaking countries in Africa have signified their interest in acquiring the services of the Baculio-led company for Science, English and Math channels to beam into the continent.
Baculio says that in 2025, another satellite will be launched followed by a third one in 2026.
“Agila represents a significant leap forward in bridging the digital divide, empowering remote communities through seamless connectivity. Collective action will ensure equitable access, drive economic growth and cement the Philippines’ position in the global digital landscape,” Baculio says.
