en.Wedoany.com Reported - Philippine telecom companies PLDT, Smart Communications, and Globe Telecom have deployed Starlink's broadband and Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite services for communication restoration following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao.

The earthquake, which struck the Cotabato Trench off the coast of Mindanao on Monday morning, has killed at least 37 people and injured 487, with authorities expecting the numbers to rise. General Santos City and several towns in South Cotabato province were the hardest hit, with thousands of homes and schools damaged, roads blocked by landslides, and telecommunications and power services disrupted.

PLDT and Smart noted that network service interruptions were mainly related to commercial power outages affecting certain sites, while most network facilities remained stable. PLDT is deploying Starlink satellite broadband services to key locations identified by local government units that require backup connectivity, providing communication support to government agencies, emergency responders, and affected communities in General Santos City.

Globe Telecom has launched Starlink's D2D satellite services in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani provinces, where most ground network outages were reported, primarily due to power service shutdowns for safety precautions. This D2D deployment will allow approximately 700,000 Globe and TM users in affected areas to use the service for free for up to 30 days. Both telecom companies are also offering free Wi-Fi, device charging, and NDD call services in General Santos City and other affected areas.

PLDT signed an agreement in August 2025 to resell Starlink's low Earth orbit satellite broadband services in the Philippines. Globe Telecom signed a memorandum of understanding with low Earth orbit Starlink in January this year to resell its D2D satellite services.

This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com