Globe Telecom says it has successfully conducted a trial of Lynk Global’s direct-to-device (D2D) satellite service in Zambales as of a series of planned pilots to test the service’s viability in the Philippines.
During the pilot test held at the end of September, Globe transmitted SMS messages using standard mobile phones using SIMs from both Globe and its service brand TM via Lynk’s LEO satellites. The live demo was conducted in a mobile blackspot in Lake Mapanuepe in Zambales.
Globe said the pilot test, which used a range of mobile devices, shows that D2D satellite communication works without any modifications to existing devices.
The Zambales test comes three months after Globe expanded its partnership with Lynk to launch live customer pilots across the Philippines to test the service. Globe will hold another trial in Mindanao this month. Other tests are planned for Pangasinan, Siargao and Leyte.
Globe plans to fully integrate Lynk’s “Sat2Phone” service in its network to expand its service into so-called “Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs)” in the Philippines. Globe currently has a presence in over 500 GIDAs.
Lynk currently has five LEO satellites (which it describes as “cell towers in space”) in orbit to support its Sat2Phone service, out of a planned constellation of 5,000. The company currently aims to have enough satellites for global coverage sometime next year.
Lynk currently offers cell broadcast emergency alerts and two-way SMS messaging. It plans to launch voice and mobile broadband services in the future.
The company says it has regulatory approvals in more than 30 countries and has signed over 40 commercial service contracts with mobile operators covering approximately 50 countries as of September 2024.
