Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellite service has officially launched in Chile, making it the first country in Latin America to roll out SpaceX’s satellite-to-mobile connectivity for everyday smartphone users.
The service is being delivered through a partnership with Entel Chile, one of the country’s largest telecom providers, and allows compatible smartphones to connect directly to Starlink satellites when traditional cellular towers are out of range. The goal is to bring reliable connectivity to Chile’s most remote and hard-to-reach regions — without requiring special hardware or additional devices.
At launch, the service is primarily focused on basic connectivity such as text messaging, with voice and data services expected to expand over time as the network and regulatory framework mature. This mirrors Starlink’s phased approach to direct-to-cell rollouts in other regions, starting with low-bandwidth services before scaling to higher data demands.
Chile’s unique geography — stretching more than 4,300 km (2,670 miles) from north to south and spanning deserts, glaciers, mountains, and dense forests — makes it one of the most challenging countries in the world for traditional network coverage.
While mobile networks cover much of the population, vast rural regions, national parks, and remote highways still suffer from dead zones.
That’s where Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology comes in. Rather than relying on terrestrial towers, the system uses SpaceX’s low-Earth orbit satellites to communicate directly with smartphones using standard cellular spectrum. For users, there’s no new equipment required — just a supported phone and a compatible plan through Entel.
For Chile, the impact could be significant. The country is frequently affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires, floods, and landslides — events that often disrupt ground-based communication networks. Satellite-to-mobile connectivity provides an added layer of resilience, allowing critical communications to remain active even when physical infrastructure is damaged.
Beyond emergencies, the technology could also benefit industries like mining, forestry, agriculture, and tourism — sectors that operate far beyond the reach of conventional mobile towers. Workers in remote areas, travelers exploring Patagonia, and drivers on isolated highways could all benefit from basic connectivity where none previously existed.
