Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has secured the Philippines’ first-ever internet satellite, a project that aims to improve connectivity in remote areas of the country. The agreement was signed between California-based company Astranis Space Technologies and Philippine-based satellite firm Orbits Corporation during the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco, California.

The partnership between Orbits and Astranis will see the deployment of the first two internet satellites dedicated to the Philippines. This program is expected to attract a $400 million investment over the next eight years. The MicroGEO satellites will provide internet service to unserved and underserved areas, benefiting up to 10 million users and 30,000 villages.

The project is not only aimed at improving connectivity, but it is also projected to create over 10,000 job opportunities for both direct and indirect employees and partners.

During the signing event, Philippine Ambassador to the United States (US), Jose Manuel Romualdez, revealed the official name of the first satellite – “Agila”. The name holds significance as it symbolizes the project’s commitment to empowering the Filipino nation through expanded access to the digital world.

By securing this internet satellite, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his partners aim to bridge the digital divide in the Philippines and promote the country’s digital transformation. This development marks an important step in improving internet access and connectivity in rural and remote areas of the country, contributing to the overall progress and development of the Philippines.