PHILIPPINE startup Packworks and international nonprofit organization Help.NGO have teamed up to provide internet access to small businesses in rural areas to bridge the digital gap and boost local entrepreneurship.

Under the project SariLink, both organizations will provide fast and reliable low Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity through Starlink Internet. Packworks said this would primarily empower micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the remote areas of the Philippines.

An LEO connection can achieve speeds up to 220 megabits per second (Mbps) downloading and 80 Mbps during upload. Through this, Packworks said that MSMEs can process digital payments and access vital inventory financing services to help them grow their businesses.

"Through this strategic collaboration, we are excited about the potential to expand this initiative, ensuring that the benefits of digital connectivity reach every corner of the Philippines and setting a precedent for grassroots-level economic resilience and sustainability," said Packworks co-founder and Chief Platform Officer Hubert Yap.

He also expressed appreciation to Help.NGO, saying that the partnership advances their vision of bringing digitization to the forefront of Philippine economic development.

"This partnership is not just about providing technology but about crafting a future where every small business owner has the tools to succeed in the digital age," Yap added.

The sales growth of stores enrolled under the program will be monitored using Amazon Web Services data analytics. This will ensure that the beneficiaries receive the right support for their operations.

As its pilot area, the partnership has already installed LEO communication terminals in select micro-retail stores in Catanduanes. These stores can now access tools to digitize their operations, including pricing tools, inventory management, and sales and revenue tracking.

"Bridging the digital divide, especially in isolated communities, can bring outsized impact on resiliency by giving people the ability to communicate and connect to the internet; they are able to build their own resilience," said Matthew Cua, innovation director of Help.NGO.

Cynthia Icaonapo, a sari-sari store owner and one of the beneficiaries, said the LEO connection has improved their business management.

"Before, we manually wrote down each customer's purchases, and we only used mobile data, which was slow in our area," said Icaonapo.

She also said that her store transactions in February increased by about 53 percent compared to the previous month after being installed with the LEO Internet terminal.

Packworks urged more partners to help push it further and expand to other rural areas.