The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) invites operators of Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) Satellite Constellations to participate in INCENTIVISE: Introducing Non-Geostationary Satellite Constellations Test Deployments to Improve Internet Services.

BACKGROUND

In 2019, World Bank data showed that only 46.88% of the population in the Philippines had access to the Internet, making it the country to have the third lowest penetration rate in the ASEAN region. In addition, the National ICT Household Survey (NICTHS) 2019 of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) showed that only 11.4% and 23.6% of rural and urban areas in the Philippines, respectively, have an Internet connection at home, with rural and non-metropolitan households experiencing lower quality of connectivity (PIDS 2021).

The archipelagic geography of the Philippines presents challenges to the rollout of infrastructure consisting of cables and towers to reach all islands and barangays. Internet connectivity is mostly concentrated in more densely populated areas and unable to reach rural, remote regions and so-called Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). Satellites can help fill the gap and PhilSA aims to bring and validate new and emerging technologies in the space segment to address the challenge of rural connectivity. As the central government agency addressing all national issues and activities related to Space Science and Technology Applications (SSTA), PhilSA encourages the commercial exploitation of space capabilities, technology, information, facilities and systems.

In line with this, PhilSA is launching the INCENTIVISE project – an open call and invitation for operators of NGSO Satellite Constellations to conduct test deployments of their Internet services in the country.

SCOPE

For the INCENTIVISE test deployments, qualified participants, i.e. Satellite Internet Operators (SIOs), shall provide satellite connectivity to selected sites in the country for at least eight (8) weeks by bringing in the satellite terminal equipment and/or gateway equipment in coordination with the PhilSA. SIOs shall cover the costs of transporting equipment to and from the Philippines and the travel expenses of their personnel for the deployments.

Participation of SIOs in INCENTIVISE will allow the performance and viability of their technologies to be demonstrated and assessed in local conditions ahead of planned or scheduled commercial service. This is expected to result in valuable feedback that  enhances the responsiveness to use cases in the country and which facilitate the entry of new services in the local market. By helping introduce additional options for satellite-based Internet access in the country, INCENTIVISE also supports the objectives and implementation of Executive Order No. 127 s. 2021.

REQUIREMENTS

To qualify, SIOs must meet the following requirements:

Further information on the Terms of Reference for the Qualifying SIO and the PhilSA may be found in the INCENTIVISE Concept Note. Interested participants must submit the following:

1. Letter of Intent (LOI) addressed to:

Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr., Ph.D.

Director General

Philippine Space Agency

2. Accomplished INCENTIVISE Proposal and Annexes

3. Proof of Company Registration

4. Certification that the Proponent Company has the financial capability to undertake the test deployments

Submissions must be sent via email to the PhilSA Space Business Development Division at bizdev@philsa.gov.ph by 29 October 2021, 11:59 PM GMT+8. Qualified SIOs will be contacted via email within one (1) month from the date of acceptance of their submission.

For inquiries, contact the Space Business Development Division through email at bizdev@philsa.gov.ph.

ATTACHMENTS:

• INCENTIVISE Concept Note
• Letter of Intent Template
• INCENTIVISE Proposal Form and Annexes