Brazil hooks up with Chinese satellite broadband service that doesn't operate yet

Brazilian telco Telebras signed to resell satellite broadband services from Chinese satellite internet company SpaceSail as an alternative to Starlink – despite the service not having actually commenced. An agreement between Telebras, China's National Data Administration and SpaceSail will see the Chinese telco's "Thousand Sails Constellation" made available in Brazil. That constellation currently comprises just 36 satellites, launched in two batches of 18 in August and October.

SpaceSail plans to have over 600 birds operating by the end of 2025, but is yet to offer commercial services and won't begin serving Brazil until 2026. The Chinese internet provider aims to be considered a reasonable alternative to Starlink by the end of the decade. Discussions between Brazil and China have reportedly seen the South American nation offer its Alcântara Space Center as a SpaceSail launch site.



According to CNN Brazil , minister of communications Juscelino Filho revealed SpaceSail intends to invest up to $10 billion worldwide in the coming years – $1 billion of that in Brazil, as it installs 11 teleports in the country. Starlink has already won over 200,000 customers in Brazil – among them the nation's military . Elon Musk's internet slinger has been in the country since 2022 and has authorization to remain until 2027.

There have reportedly been ongoing discussions about whether it should be allowed to expand. Minister Filho told CNN Brazil wants to diversify its sources of connectivity. "What we are working on is so that Brazilian society can have options of more than one company offering the service that is essential and fundamental for the population today, especially in remote areas," explained the minister.

He also specified that the Brazilian government didn't "want to compare one company with another." Brazil has had conflict with Starlink owner Musk this year. The nation froze Starlink's bank accounts as part of an effort to get Musk to pay fines related to his other property, social media platform X.

The clash began with Brazil ordering X to manage misinformation on the platform and has culminated in Starlink paying around $1.83 million in fines to Brazil – but not before Musk called for the impeachment of judges . While Starlink's presence in Brazil has brought welcome connectivity to remote areas, it has also reportedly brought internet addiction to indigenous communities.

Telebras signing with SpaceSail will please Beijing, as China aspires to grow its satellite broadband industry and win offshore customers. The Middle Kingdom aims to have 15,000 internet-slinging satellites in low Earth orbit by 2030. But while those spacecraft may provide a valuable service, analysts have warned that China could use them to impose censorship , monitor users, or even shut down service.

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