Starlink, the satellite internet company owned by Elon Musk, is seeking to enhance its operations in Brazil by launching an additional 7,500 satellites. The request will be reviewed by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) on February 13, 2024.
On December 2, 2023, the process rapporteur, Alexandre Freire, published a report detailing Starlink's expansion application submitted in December 2023. As of September, Musk reported that the company operates 6,350 satellites in orbit.
To provide satellite internet services in Brazil, companies must obtain authorization from Anatel. Starlink currently holds the necessary permissions.
In a related development, during a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Brazil in November, Telebrás signed an agreement with Chinese competitor SpaceSail, indicating potential cooperation should SpaceSail begin operations in Brazil. The company currently has 40 satellites in orbit and plans to launch an additional 648 within the next 14 months, aiming for a total of 15,000 satellites by 2030.