Starlink is continuing its expansion in Latin America, with Guatemala becoming the latest country to allow the satellite internet service to operate in the region. On Friday the Telecommunications Superintendency (SIT) authorized Starlink as an internet service provider in Guatemala.
According to SIT the company was granted a 10-year license and officially registered as Starlink Internet Services Guatemala. Starlink will be competing against more than 130 other companies that are registered as ISPs in the country, according to local publication Prensa Libre.
According to Marco Antonio Baten Ruiz, the head of SIT, the authorization of Starlink aims to reduce the digital divide among Guatemala’s population, helping to ensure that everyone has reliable internet connectivity anywhere in the country.
While Starlink has now been given the green light to launch in Guatemala, it will still be a few months until it is actually available. Starlink’s availability map shows the company is targeting to launch in Q3 2023.
The approval of Starlink in Guatemala follows the launch of the satellite internet service in Panama last week. To celebrate the launch in that country SpaceX is offering a 50% discount on hardware until June 1, putting the cost for the hardware at $250, with the subscription costing $52 per month.
