Converge parent, Data Lake forge Starlink satelite deal

MANILA, Philippines — Tech leader Dennis Anthony Uy is scaling up his connectivity business after forging a deal with the Philippine distributor of Starlink kits.

The STAR learned that Uy yesterday signed a deal with Data Lake Inc., the Philippine retailer of Elon Musk’s Starlink, to bring connectivity to every island in the country.

Uy entered into the partnership in his role as CEO of ComClark Network and Technology Corp., the parent of his broadband business Converge ICT Solutions Inc.

Essentially, the deal covers Data Lake’s sale of Starlink kits and subscriptions to ComClark, and the parties will work on connecting as many islands as they can through satellite-based internet. They are expected to disclose further details into the tie-up over the next few days.

For Uy, this marks the second time he transacted with Starlink, operated by SpaceX, which is owned by Musk, one of the world’s richest men.

In 2022, Converge agreed to lease fiber lines and ground equipment to SpaceX prior to Starlink’s entry into the Philippines.

Uy has advocated for the use of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites in delivering internet services to remote areas where it is challenging to set up terrestrial assets like fiber cables.

Starlink manages a constellation of LEO satellites that beams internet onto the ground, allowing it to reach the farthest places given its unlimited coverage from the skies. The company launched its broadband from space offering in the Philippines in 2023, and Data Lake serves as its retailer.

Recently, Data Lake has entered into partnerships with Philippine companies to bolster the reach of Starlink across the archipelago. In February, tech provider DFNN Inc. tied up with Data Lake to promote Starlink in the country.

The tie-up seeks to market Starlink in outlier areas in line with efforts to narrow the digital gap in the countryside as pushed for by President Marcos.

Based on Starlink’s website, Filipinos may avail of its connectivity service for P2,700 per month, with the satellite dish costing P28,000, exclusive of a processing fee of P1,300.