Starlink has launched its satellite mobile connectivity service in Brazil in partnership with mobile operator Vivo. The service is expected to give around 50 million Vivo customers access to messaging and selected applications in areas without conventional cellular coverage. Around 7 million smartphones have already been connected to the system.
The service aims to provide connectivity across Brazil, including remote rainforest areas, fishing communities and long stretches of highway.
Unlike conventional satellite internet, which typically requires a dedicated antenna, Starlink Mobile’s Direct to Cell technology allows compatible smartphones to connect directly to satellites. The satellites act as cellular base stations in orbit, helping users stay connected in areas without terrestrial network infrastructure.
Starlink is SpaceX’s global satellite network, designed to provide internet access through satellites in low Earth orbit. As of late October 2026, approximately 11,170 Starlink satellites were in orbit, with more than 11,150 operational. The company continues to expand its constellation and develop technology for direct satellite connectivity to mobile devices.
Future-generation V2 satellites are expected to increase Starlink Mobile’s capacity. This could enable the service to move beyond limited messaging capabilities toward faster mobile internet connectivity.
