Federal authorities have given Elon Musk’s Starlink approval to offer satellite internet service in Mexico, closing further in on their goal to offer global internet coverage.
Starlink Satellite Systems México filed a request with the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) on April 2, 2021. The approval was granted on May 28 according to a report from El Economista, authorizing the company to send signals to and receive signals from satellites that provide coverage to Mexico.
In order to comply with the permit, Starlink must offer internet service within 180 days of the approval. That gives the company until October 28, 2021 to begin operations.
The permit is for a period of 10 years, which can be extended for additional 10 year periods so long as it continues to meet the requirements set out by the IFT.
Starlink’s expansion into Mexico comes 8 months after the company first began its ‘Better Than Nothing‘ beta trial in the US last year. Recent comments from SpaceX President Gwynn Shotwell indicate the company is hoping to have enough satellites in orbit to have global internet coverage by September.
