Business · Companies · 5 hrs ago
Starlink says it plans to partner with Brazilian mobile operators
Starlink says it plans to partner with Brazilian mobile operators, rather than offer mobile service on its own in Brazil.
The company says Brazil is its second-largest market, with about one million customers, mostly using satellite broadband through a dish and router.
A new service connects phones directly to satellites, and Vivo is offering it to customers as a roaming option.
In the first week of tests, seven million people connected, and the service currently supports basic functions such as messages and voice calls.
Brazil’s telecom regulator approved the technology this month, clearing the way for the Vivo partnership.
Starlink expects the service to gain 4G and 5G speeds in coming years, which will require newer satellites; the company also says it hopes to make more commercial deals in Brazil.
Starlink says it plans to work with Brazilian mobile operators rather than offer a standalone mobile service in Brazil.
The company says its long-term plan is to use satellite connectivity to extend mobile networks.
Starlink has partnered with Vivo to offer direct-to-cell satellite service as a roaming option for its customers.
The service is currently limited to basic functions such as messaging and voice calls.
Starlink says Brazil is its second-largest market, with about 1 million customers.
- Who
- Starlink, represented by regulatory policy director Sharon Zhang, and Brazilian mobile operators including Vivo.
- What
- Starlink says it plans to partner with mobile operators in Brazil. Its partnership with Vivo offers satellite connectivity directly to phones as a roaming option.
- When
- The article was published on October 29, 2026. The D2D service launched that week.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- Starlink says partnerships can amplify mobile networks and connect more people.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Anatel authorized Starlink’s D2D technology in the 2 GHz band, enabling the partnership with Vivo.
Starlink launched direct-to-cell satellite internet in partnership with Vivo.
Seven million people connected to the service.
- Brazilian customers
- About 1 million
- Global customer base
- Brazil accounts for 10%
- Brazil's market ranking
- Second-largest Starlink market, after the United States
- Vivo partnership
- Satellite service offered as a roaming option
- D2D frequency band
- 2 GHz
1 source
What people are saying
Planejamos ser parceiros. Não temos planos de fazer algo ‘standalone’ (autônomo) no Brasil
No contexto brasileiro, nosso plano atual e compromisso de longo prazo é seguir trabalhando com operadoras móveis para amplificar as redes móveis. É uma história diferente dos EUA
Um modelo ‘tipo EUA’ é uma abordagem muito diferente da que estamos tomando aqui