Amazon, in collaboration with telecommunications company Vrio, will launch a new satellite internet service in seven South American countries, challenging Elon Musk's Starlink. The partnership aims to deliver high-speed internet to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, regions where many currently lack reliable access.
Amazon's Project Kuiper, initiated by a former Starlink employee, will deploy over 3,200 low Earth orbit satellites, providing internet coverage beginning in mid-2025, starting with Argentina. Vrio, known for managing DirecTV and Sky Brasil in Latin America, will market and offer the service.
Lucas Werthein, Vice President of Vrio, highlighted the significant demand, noting, "Around 200 million people in the region have poor, little or no internet access", based on World Bank data. He emphasized that the region’s challenging geography and limited infrastructure investments have hindered internet accessibility.
Bruno Henriques, Project Kuiper’s Latin American business development head, outlined that Amazon's initiative, supported by a $10 billion investment, aims to ensure uniform broadband access across urban, suburban, and rural areas. The service is expected to bridge the digital divide and enhance connectivity in remote and underserved locations, with detailed plans for satellite deployment to be revealed in the coming months.
This move positions Amazon and Vrio as key competitors in the satellite internet market, poised to enhance digital access across South America.