Smart nears launch of satellite serviceSmart is poised to become the country’s first telco to offer direct-to-device satellite service following the success of its test for such a technology in partnership with Lynk Global Inc.First for Philippines telcoMANILA, Philippines — Local communities in remote islands and mountains will gain access to uninterrupted signals for internet use and text messaging once Smart Communications Inc. mounts its new satellite service by 2027. Smart is poised to become the country’s first telco to offer direct-to-device satellite service following the success of its test for such a technology in partnership with Lynk Global Inc. The direct-to-device satellite solution equips Smart with the capability to provide mobile services across all terrains, even in areas where it has few or no cellular towers. Smart chose Catanduanes — 360 kilometers south of Metro Manila — to determine how extensive the solution can cover. Smart head of network strategy and transformation Radames Zalameda said the telco would also wait for Lynk to send more satellites into space to expand service availability.
