Anatel approves expansion of Starlink satellite operations in Brazil 

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Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) has approved changes to Starlink’s licence, allowing it to launch 7,500 more satellites 

The decision significantly broadens Starlink’s footprint in Brazil, building on its existing licence granted in 2022, which covered 4,408 satellites. 

Starlink currently operates around 6,750 low Earth orbit satellites, which provide global coverage of satellite internet services..  

Following this latest approval, the company is now authorised operate up to 7,500 additional satellites to provide services across the country.  

While the council unanimously approved the expansion, Anatel issued a regulatory alert highlighting the need to modernise Brazil’s telecoms framework.  

According to councillor Alexandre Freire, the “purpose is to preserve the coherence, predictability and legitimacy of administrative deliberations, while ensuring transparency in dialogue with the regulated sector and society in general”. 

“Although we have unanimously granted the request to change Starlink’s satellite exploration right to expand the number of satellites and authorized frequency bands, as well as update the associated networks, this case has made clear to me the limitations of the current regulations to offer adequate responses to the complex issues that emerge in this scenario,” he added. 

Starlink’s operations in Brazil have become entangled with Elon Musk’s broader business interests, particularly his ownership of X (formerly Twitter). In August 2024, Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered the suspension of X after the platform refused to comply with legal demands to take down accounts accused of spreading misinformation and failed to appoint a local legal representative. Although Starlink and X are legally separate, authorities treated them as part of the same economic group, freezing Starlink’s assets to force compliance. While Starlink ultimately agreed to block access to X, allowing it to maintain its service in Brazil, the episode highlights the fragile and politically sensitive relationship between Musk’s companies and Brazilian institutions. 

The recent implementation of significant tariffs on US imports, such as the 104% tariff on Chinese goods effective from this month, could impact the satellite industry. These tariffs may increase costs for electronic components essential for satellite manufacturing, potentially affecting production expenses and service affordability for companies like SpaceX.  

Separately, several regions globally have reconsidered Starlink contracts, reflecting the importance of geopolitical tension in the satellite connectivity industry. For example, the Canadian province of Ontario announced the cancellation of a $68 million Starlink contract, commenting “Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy.” 

Italian defence Minister Guido Crosetto also announced last month that negotiations over a $1.63 billion Starlink contract had stalled, expressing outrage over reports that the US had threatened to shut down Starlink’s communications in Ukraine earlier this year. 

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Author: Ernestro Casas -

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