Starlink arrives in Mexico through Mercado Libre

Starlink arrives in Mexico in partnership with Mercado Libre, securing the right to commercialize their new high-speed internet service.

The arrival of the e-commerce giant represents a milestone in its mission to provide high-speed internet access in areas with limited connectivity.

In this way, the satellite internet company Starlink, a part of Elon Musk’s SpaceX conglomerate, has commenced selling its service in Mexico through the Mercado Libre platform.

Starlink’s expansion into Mexico adds to its presence in eight other Latin American countries, including the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Guatemala, Panama, and El Salvador.

In Mexico, Starlink has adjusted its pricing but is still not positioned as the most economical option compared to traditional internet service providers.

The service involves two types of payments: an initial one to acquire the antenna and installation kit, which amounts to 8,300 Mexican pesos (USD 485.97), and a monthly payment of 1,100 Mexican pesos (USD 64.41).

Additionally, there is a portable option called “Roam” with a monthly cost of 21,350 Mexican pesos (USD 79).

According to the coverage map on its official website, Starlink offers service across the entire expanse of Mexico.

Starlink’s arrival in Mexico aims to cover areas where traditional telecom operators have been unable to reach.

It is projected that in 2023, the network will expand to other Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Meanwhile, in 2024, it is anticipated that the service will reach Bolivia and Argentina, although the latter’s launch is pending government approvals.

Starlink arrives in Mexico: How it works

It’s important to note that Starlink operates through a constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbit.

These satellites connect with ground antennas to provide internet service with speeds ranging from 50 to 200 Mbps.

This system is particularly useful in remote and hard-to-reach areas, although in cities with multiple broadband providers, the company’s offering may not be as attractive.

The company’s internet service is based on a mesh network of thousands of satellites that provide high-speed internet access.

Unlike traditional satellite internet services that use geostationary satellites at over 35,000 km above Earth, Starlink’s satellites orbit much closer, at about 550 km, which reduces latency.

Similar to Netflix, Starlink is offered without contracts, providing users with unprecedented flexibility in the era of connectivity.

Furthermore, in the future, Elon Musk’s company may offer options to people living in certain regimes in Latin America, such as Venezuela or Cuba, where access to unrestricted internet is limited.

For businesses, the cost of Starlink’s business service depends on the number of users and availability in the area.

In addition to Starlink, there are other satellite internet companies operating in Mexico, such as HughesNet, Viasat, and Yahsat.

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