Space

Philippines and Communication Satellite Systems

While a strong customer of various Western Rim communications services, the Philippines has sought during the 1990's to assemble support for a domestically owned GEO communications system. By late 1994, two commercial ventures were attempting to field potentially competing networks by the end of 1996. Each program, one led by Philippine Agila Satellite, Inc., and one led by Mabuhay Philippines Satellite Corporation, would employ Western spacecraft equipped with a mix of C-band and Ku-band transponders. More definitive plans, including a possible merger of the projects, were expected in 1995 (References 253-256).

On a related front, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company is one of the three principal partners in the ACES network to provide cellular phone service to parts of Asia.