Starlink to Offer Free Satellite Internet to Mexican Smartphones

Starlink, the satellite internet service of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, will offer free access to its internet network to certain smartphone users in Mexico starting in July 2025. This initiative seeks to provide connectivity in remote areas, enabling the sending and receiving of text messages, real-time location, and access to emergency services.

According to Starlink, the satellite connection will be automatically activated when the smartphone does not detect a mobile signal, displaying “T-Mobile SpaceX” on the screen. This functionality is designed to ensure that users in areas without traditional coverage can stay connected, especially in critical situations.

The digital divide in Mexico has been a persistent challenge, with a gap of almost 20% of the population not using the internet, according to data from the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT). Rural and remote areas are the most affected due to the lack of telecommunications infrastructure, with 25% of these areas lacking this service. Starlink, with its low orbit satellite network, seeks to solve this problem by offering a connectivity alternative that does not depend on terrestrial towers.

Starlink's initiative is aligned with global efforts to reduce the digital divide, a goal set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). However, its implementation in Mexico faces challenges, such as the need for compatible smartphones and competition with local telecommunications companies.

Starlink will allow users to send and receive text messages, share their location in real time and access emergency services in areas without mobile coverage. Although it will not initially include voice calls or high-speed Internet, the company plans to enable these features in the future, although it has not yet provided a specific date.

To access the service, users will need a compatible smartphone and the latest version of the operating system. Confirmed devices include the iPhone 14 and later, the Pixel 9 and its variants, Motorola models launched from 2024 onwards, and several Samsung devices, such as the Galaxy A14 series onwards and the S21 and later models. This list could expand in the future, depending on the adoption of the technology by other manufacturers.

Starlink has already begun trials in countries such as the United States, Chile, and Peru. However, its expansion in Latin America faces obstacles, such as the recent breakdown of an agreement with Carlos Slim’s América Móvil.

In 2024, América Móvil cancelled its partnership with Starlink, opting to invest US$22 billion in the development of its own fiber optic infrastructure and communication towers. This decision reflects a strategy of independence from technology giants and has left Starlink without a key partner for its expansion in the region.

Despite these challenges, Starlink is moving ahead with its plan to bring connectivity to remote areas. Its approach in Mexico could transform the way rural communities access digital services, although its success will depend on the adoption of compatible smartphones and the resolution of regulatory and competitive barriers.