1 hr ago
Venezuela Authorizes Starlink After Maduro-Era Ban
Venezuela has officially given Starlink permission to provide internet across the country.
Starlink is a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX.
The government’s telecommunications agency issued seven licenses to SpaceX’s Venezuelan subsidiary.
The permission ends a ban that was in place under Nicolás Maduro.
Some people in Venezuela were already using Starlink before it was formally approved.
Starlink also provided free service at two points mentioned in the report: after Maduro was captured and after earthquakes struck northern Venezuela.
A digital-rights advocate said US restrictions and local rules had previously made it harder for the service to operate.
Venezuela’s National Telecommunications Commission granted seven licenses to SpaceX’s local subsidiary to operate Starlink nationwide.
The authorization formally lifts a ban imposed under ousted president Nicolás Maduro.
An estimated 3.6 percent of Venezuelan internet users were already accessing the web through Starlink, according to APNIC data.
Starlink had offered Venezuelan users a free month after Maduro’s capture in January 2026 and resumed free service after June 24 earthquakes.
Digital-freedom advocate Andrés Azpurua said US restrictions had previously hindered Starlink, while local regulatory barriers remained after Maduro’s fall.
- Who
- Venezuela’s National Telecommunications Commission, SpaceX’s Venezuelan subsidiary, and Starlink.
- What
- Venezuela granted seven licenses allowing Starlink to operate nationwide, formally lifting a ban.
- Where
- Venezuela.
- When
- The licenses were announced on a Friday; the article does not specify the date.
- Why
- The article does not state the government’s reason for granting the licenses.
Key facts
- Licenses granted
- Seven
- Licensing agency
- National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel)
- Service operator
- SpaceX’s Venezuela subsidiary
- Estimated existing Starlink use
- 3.6 percent of internet users in Venezuela, according to APNIC data
- Previous restriction
- A ban imposed under Nicolás Maduro
- Earthquake-related free service
- Starlink resumed free services after twin earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on June 24; the year is not specified.
Quotes
Andres Azpurua
Director of VE Sin Filtro, an NGO promoting digital freedom
“Starlink executives felt they would no longer face problems on the US side and began to move more openly in Venezuela. But the local regulatory problem still existed.”
NDTV
Sources
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