Starlink’s big push: Anatel weighs 7,500 satellites for faster internet in Brazil

The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) convenes this Thursday, April 3, to evaluate a bold proposal from Starlink, the company owned by billionaire Elon Musk, requesting permission to deploy an additional 7,500 low-orbit satellites in Brazil. Currently, Starlink operates with 4,408 satellites authorized until March 2027, but this expansion would nearly triple its capacity to deliver high-speed internet, particularly to remote regions. The agency’s review focuses on technical and regulatory details, including data security and compliance with national standards, as satellite-based connectivity gains traction worldwide.

Starlink’s request aligns with its global mission to connect underserved areas, already serving millions of users across over 100 countries with its non-geostationary satellite constellation. In Brazil, where traditional infrastructure like fiber optic cables struggles to reach rural zones, this technology offers a lifeline. Anatel has emphasized the need for a thorough assessment, considering factors such as efficient spectrum and orbit use, alongside ensuring fair competition in the telecom sector. The outcome of today’s meeting could reshape the landscape of internet access in the nation.

This expansion comes as Starlink solidifies its foothold in Brazil. Since receiving approval from Anatel in 2022, the company has grown its subscriber base to 264,883 fixed broadband users by September 2024. The addition of 7,500 satellites would enhance its ability to serve isolated areas like the Amazon, where connectivity remains a persistent challenge. With the world watching, today’s decision may signal Brazil’s readiness to embrace cutting-edge satellite technology on a massive scale.

Starlink’s expansion: what’s at stake

Starlink’s plan to deploy 7,500 more non-geostationary satellites underscores a global shift toward space-based internet solutions. Positioned roughly 550 kilometers above Earth, these low-orbit satellites differ from traditional geostationary ones, which sit at 35,786 kilometers. The lower altitude slashes latency—the time data takes to travel—to about 25 milliseconds, compared to over 600 milliseconds for older models. This makes them ideal for real-time applications like video calls and online gaming. In Brazil, where approximately 20% of the population lacks reliable internet, according to IBGE data, this expansion could bridge a critical digital divide.

Anatel faces the complex task of balancing innovation with oversight. The agency has requested detailed technical reports from Starlink to assess the expansion’s impact on existing systems and user data security, a priority under Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD). Today’s deliberation will determine whether the company can scale its operations while meeting stringent regulatory requirements. The decision also carries implications for competitors eyeing Brazil’s growing satellite internet market.

The strategic importance of this technology cannot be overstated. In the Amazon, Starlink already supports schools and healthcare units in remote areas. In 2022, Elon Musk pledged to connect 19,000 rural schools across Brazil, a move tied to broader efforts to improve environmental monitoring and curb illegal deforestation. Expanding the constellation could amplify these initiatives, though it raises questions about national sovereignty and data control—issues Anatel must carefully weigh.

How low-orbit technology works

Starlink’s low-orbit satellites form a sophisticated network, each equipped with solar panels and precision antennas. Unlike geostationary satellites that remain fixed relative to Earth, these move constantly, requiring a large constellation to maintain uninterrupted coverage. Globally, Starlink had over 6,500 satellites in orbit by October 2024, with 6,075 fully operational. In Brazil, the current 4,408 satellites are just a fraction of this total, but adding 7,500 more would significantly boost local capacity.

The technology delivers clear advantages. Tests by Ookla in 2023 showed Starlink achieving average download speeds of 100 to 200 megabits per second in the U.S., outpacing many rural broadband services. Brazilian users report similar performance, especially in areas where traditional options like radio or slower satellite connections dominate. The low latency also positions it as a viable alternative to 4G networks in remote locations.

Sustainability is another focus. Starlink’s satellites use argon thrusters to adjust orbits and deorbit at the end of their five-year lifespan, minimizing space debris—a growing concern as low-orbit constellations multiply. Anatel monitors these technical aspects to ensure the system aligns with Brazil’s environmental and operational standards.

Starlink’s timeline in Brazil

Starlink’s journey in Brazil reflects a mix of rapid growth and regulatory hurdles. Key milestones include:

• May 2019: SpaceX launches the first 60 Starlink satellites, kicking off the global project.
• February 2022: Anatel grants Starlink approval to operate 4,408 satellites in Brazil until 2027.
• May 2022: Services roll out in select regions, expanding nationwide by 2023.
• July 2024: Starlink requests authorization for 7,500 additional satellites.
• September 2024: The company reaches 264,883 broadband subscribers in Brazil.
• April 3, 2025: Anatel reviews the expansion proposal in a pivotal meeting.

This timeline highlights Starlink’s swift rise from a newcomer to a major player in Brazil’s internet market within three years.

Competition heats up

Starlink isn’t alone in targeting Brazil’s satellite internet potential. In November 2024, Telebras partnered with China’s SpaceSail, which plans to launch 648 satellites in 2025 and scale to 15,000 by 2030. The deal aims to provide high-speed internet to strategic areas like the Amazon, directly challenging Starlink’s dominance. SpaceSail already operates in nations like Kazakhstan and now seeks a foothold in Latin America.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper is another contender, set to deploy its first operational satellites in 2025, with a goal of 3,236 units. The Brazilian government has engaged in talks with Jeff Bezos’ company to diversify connectivity options. Canada’s Telesat also looms as a potential player, with discussions underway to bring its technology to the country. This flurry of activity underscores the surging demand for satellite solutions in Brazil’s vast, underserved regions.

Anatel regulates this competitive landscape under the 2021 General Satellite Exploration Regulation, which mandates coexistence among systems to preserve market fairness. The agency can modify operating permits if competition is threatened, a power that may shape the entry of these new players.

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Regulatory challenges ahead

Starlink’s expansion faces significant regulatory hurdles. In 2024, the company clashed with Anatel and Brazilian courts over issues tied to X, another Musk-owned entity. X’s lack of a legal representative in Brazil led to judicial orders freezing Starlink’s accounts, seen as part of the same corporate group. Though internet services continued, the incident highlighted vulnerabilities that could complicate today’s approval process.

Data security remains a critical concern. Under the LGPD, effective since 2020, Anatel demands assurances that Brazilian user data is safeguarded. Starlink’s global server network raises questions about data storage and processing locations. Geopolitical risks, particularly in the Amazon, also factor in, as the technology could serve both civilian and strategic purposes.

The timing adds another layer of complexity. On April 2, the U.S. government under Donald Trump, where Musk serves as an advisor, announced a 10% tariff on imports from trading partners, including Brazil. While this doesn’t directly affect satellite launches—handled by SpaceX rockets—it could strain U.S.-Brazil relations, indirectly impacting Starlink’s negotiations.

Expected impacts of the expansion

If approved, Starlink’s satellite count in Brazil would jump from 4,408 to 11,908, vastly improving coverage in rural and remote areas like the North and Midwest. IBGE data shows 34 million Brazilians live in rural zones, many without quality internet. This technology could unlock access, driving progress in education, healthcare, and agriculture, which accounts for roughly 25% of Brazil’s GDP, per the Ministry of Agriculture.

In agriculture, reliable internet powers smart machinery and real-time monitoring. Farmers in states like Mato Grosso and Pará already use Starlink to enhance operations. The expansion could cement the company’s role as a key partner in this vital sector.

Emergency response is another area of impact. During natural disasters like floods or wildfires, Starlink has proven effective as a backup network. In 2022, it supported connectivity in rain-hit Northeast regions, showcasing its value in crisis scenarios.

Starlink facts in Brazil

Starlink’s presence in Brazil has sparked intriguing developments:

• The service costs around R$ 530 monthly, with the initial kit, including the antenna, priced at R$ 1,999.
• In 2023, Brazil ranked among the top 5 countries streaming Netflix via Starlink, reflecting widespread adoption.
• The constellation is visible as “light trains” in clear night skies, puzzling rural residents.

These points illustrate how Starlink is weaving into Brazil’s digital fabric, even before potential growth.

Global pressure and local outlook

Globally, Starlink faces stiff competition. China’s SpaceSail targets 15,000 satellites by 2030, while Amazon’s Project Kuiper gears up for 2025 launches. In the U.S., Starlink boasts over 2.5 million customers and projects $11.8 billion in revenue for 2025. Brazil’s market is smaller but ripe for growth, given its size and connectivity gaps.

Locally, Anatel’s decision could pave the way for rivals. Telebras aims to compete via partnerships, while the government eyes satellite tech to connect indigenous communities and monitor the Amazon. Approving Starlink’s 7,500 satellites would reinforce its lead but might accelerate competitor arrivals.

Today’s meeting marks a turning point for Brazil’s internet future. As Anatel weighs technical and strategic factors, Starlink pushes to redefine connectivity nationwide.

Benefits and risks on the table

The expansion promises to speed up digital inclusion, but risks linger. Experts warn that more satellites could increase orbital traffic, raising collision and debris risks. Starlink counters that its five-year deorbiting process mitigates this. Benefits include less reliance on vulnerable terrestrial networks, though a foreign company’s dominance worries regulators. Anatel’s 2021 rules allow adjustments to prevent monopolies.

Today’s outcome will be closely watched by users, businesses, and rivals, setting the pace for Brazil’s digital transformation.