Elon Musk Taps Tycoon Sy for Philippine Satellite Internet

Philippine tycoon Henry Sy Jr. will partner with Elon Musk to launch a satellite broadband service in the Southeast Asian nation.

Data Lake has signed an agreement with SpaceX, confirming the Philippine tycoon Henry Sy Jr.'s partnership with Elon Musk to launch Starlink satellite broadband service. (AFP)

(Bloomberg) -- Philippine tycoon Henry Sy Jr. will partner with Elon Musk to launch a satellite broadband service in the Southeast Asian nation.

Data Lake Inc. signed an agreement with Space Exploration Technologies Corp., making it the first Starlink integrator in the country and in Southeast Asia, the Sy-owned company said in a statement.

“With 7,640 islands, connecting the Philippine archipelago to the rest of the world often requires extensive infrastructure,” Data Lake Chairman Anthony Almeda said. Starlink, with its constellation of satellites in orbit, provides high bandwidth and reliable internet that's crucual especially during natural calamities, he said.

Starlink targets to make its service available in the Philippines in the coming months, Jonathan Hofeller, vice president of Starlink commercial sales at SpaceX, said.