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Venezuela president authorizes SpaceX's Starlink to operate in the country
Conatel approved one general authorisation and seven Ku-band concessions after temporary quake-era permits showed strong demand for emergency connectivity.
- On Friday, President Delcy Rodriguez authorized Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, to operate nationwide in Venezuela. The authorization formalizes an agreement with the firm, clearing the service to provide coverage under a government-issued license.
- Temporary permits granted after the June 24, 2026, twin earthquakes allowed Starlink to prove its service in La Guaira, the worst-hit state. The company distributed more than 1,600 connectivity kits to support rescue teams and medical personnel.
- Conatel said its board approved general authorisation HGTS-00639 and seven Ku-band concessions for SpaceX on Thursday, October 8, 2026. "The provision of Starlink-brand satellite internet service is legally authorised throughout the national territory," Conatel said.
- This licensing opens a US-built network in a country long at odds with Washington. However, it remains unclear how US sanctions rules affect how SpaceX can bill customers or move money within Venezuela.
- Though questions persist regarding commercial launch dates and whether satellite texting becomes a paid service, the entry provides high-bandwidth connectivity in areas lacking terrestrial infrastructure. This capability proved critical during the June earthquakes and positions Starlink as a resilience asset.
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Venezuela Authorizes Starlink to Provide Internet Service Nationwide
Venezuela’s National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL) approved General Authorization HGTS-00639 and seven General Concessions in the Ku band for the commercial company SpaceX VZ. This measure, announced on Thursday, October 8, legally authorizes the operation of the Starlink satellite internet network throughout the national territory. This follows the services Starlink provided after the June 24 double earthquake in the state of La Guair…
Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has approved the operation of Starlink, a satellite Internet service operated by American billionaire Elon Musk's company SpaceX, in this Latin American country.
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Total News Sources64
Leaning Left6Leaning Right8Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Right
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Right
40% Right
L 30%
C 30%
R 40%
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