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Chile And Peru Become The First Countries In Latin America With Starlink Direct To Cell. Understand How The Partnership Between Elon Musk’s Company And The Bolivian State-Owned Entel Happened.
The Bolivian state telecommunications company, Entel, has formed a strategic partnership with SpaceX to offer satellite internet services through the Starlink network in Chile and Peru. The agreement will allow Entel customers to access messaging, voice, and data services in remote areas where land coverage is limited or nonexistent — a significant advancement in the digital inclusion of these countries.
With the implementation of Starlink technology, known for its low latency and high speed, the expectation is that rural areas, indigenous communities, and hard-to-reach zones will have stable connectivity, boosting educational, economic, and social development. In this article, you will understand how this collaboration can transform the telecommunications landscape in Latin America.
Starlink Service Will Be Ready For Use In The First Half Of 2025
According to official data from Entel, the service will be rolled out in phases, with text messaging being available in the first half of 2025, while voice and data services will be implemented in the second half of the same year.
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One of the benefits of the service, offered by billionaire Elon Musk’s company, is that users will be able to use their current mobile phones without the need to change devices or install additional apps.
The connection will be established directly between the mobile phone and Starlink satellites, providing a simple and efficient user experience. This initiative by Entel and SpaceX for Latin American countries with Starlink follows the precedent set in the U.S., where T-Mobile and SpaceX announced a similar collaboration aimed at eliminating “dead zones” of coverage.
In November of last year, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a license that allows companies to provide complementary coverage from space, extending internet access to more inaccessible areas.
The Starlink Direct to Cell program, authorized by the FCC, allows phones to connect directly to satellites in low Earth orbit, eliminating the need for external antennas or additional devices.
How Much Will Satellite Internet Cost In Selected Latin American Countries?
The Starlink service operates similarly to traditional cellular networks; however, instead of connecting to land towers, cell phones connect directly to satellites. Because of this, any device with 4G or 5G connectivity can access the service, representing a significant leap in mobile connectivity.
Although there is no exact date for the launch of the service for Latin American countries with Starlink, the company aims to start implementing Direct to Cell services starting in 2025. In the U.S., T-Mobile is leading the initial launch, which could serve as a model for other regions.
As for costs, the specific prices for Direct to Cell have yet to be revealed, but it is possible to analyze the current rates of other Starlink services.
The basic plan for homes costs around R$ 684 (in direct conversion), while the Roam service costs R$ 856. In addition, the equipment needed for the installation of the residential service costs 600 dollars (R$ 3,4 thousand). In the case of Direct to Cell, costs largely depend on agreements with local carriers in each country.
Countries That Can Use Starlink Via Mobile Phones
According to the official page of Elon Musk’s company, the carriers with which there is a partnership to incorporate this technology are:
- New Zealand with One NZ;
- United States with T-Mobile;
- Canada with Rogers;
- Japan through KDDI;
- Australia via Optus;
- Switzerland with Salt;
- Peru and Chile through Entel.
So far, Entel is the only company in Latin America that will implement the Direct to Cell service in two countries at the same time, giving a significant boost to the telecommunications sector.
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