EARLIER this year, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) approved Starlink Internet Services Philippines Inc.'s registration as a local internet service provider (ISP). The firm is a subsidiary of the SpaceX spaceflight company, which is owned by American tech billionaire Elon Musk.

Starlink Philippines' registration as a value-added service provider (VAS) allows the company to directly access satellite systems and build and operate broadband facilities offering internet services. The Philippines will be the first in Southeast Asia to have such services.