Direct-to-Device Satellite Connectivity Expands Rapidly in Latin America

Image: Illustrative image · Blervis · CC0 · Source

Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite technology is growing fast in Latin America, notably in Chile and Peru, enabling conventional mobile phones to connect directly to satellites in remote and challenging areas without extra hardware.

Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite connectivity, which allows ordinary mobile phones to link directly to satellites without additional accessories or applications, is gaining significant traction in Latin America, particularly in remote regions of Chile and Peru. This technological advance addresses connectivity challenges in areas where geographical obstacles such as mountains, the Amazon rainforest, and deserts hinder the installation of terrestrial cellular infrastructure.

According to a report by Ookla, although only about 5% of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean—approximately 31 million people—live in areas without any signal, certain countries face extensive terrestrial coverage gaps. For example, in Chile and Peru, up to 90% of their land areas lack traditional cellular service. This has spurred rapid growth in D2D usage as a complementary connectivity solution.

In Chile, D2D adoption has increased 2.4 times since the start of 2026, ranking among the highest globally. In September 2026, daily satellite connections from fixed locations comprised 44% residential—for rural homes and isolated farms—and 28% workplace-related, including mining sites (12%) and other industrial or commercial areas (9.5%). Mobile connections accounted for 36% of total use. Additionally, 2.5% of fixed-location connections occurred over water, mainly in salmon farming facilities in the Aysén region. Notably, the La Araucanía region represented 14% of unique daily connections.

In Peru, D2D use grew 1.8 times since early 2026, focusing on isolated zones and extractive industries. Nearly half (47%) of fixed-location connections occurred outside declared cellular coverage areas, with informal mining sites showing an 86% share of off-network connectivity in that segment. Mining activities, including formal, informal, and mining towns, accounted for 18% of fixed connections, matched by 18% from villages and hamlets, alongside rural towns (10%), isolated homes (9%), and riverine communities (6.5%), especially in the Amazonian Loreto region, where rivers serve as main transport routes. Of on-the-move connections, 23% were linked to locations or vehicles along routes across Arequipa, Cusco, and Puno.

The service is also expanding to other Latin American countries. Ecuador's state operator CNT launched D2D connectivity with Starlink in September 2026, recording usage in 20 of 24 provinces within eleven days. Additionally, Ookla has identified satellite connections in Costa Rica, Panama, and Jamaica, and Starlink recently began operations with Vivo in Brazil. Conversely, Venezuela experienced a decline in use following temporary emergency activations after an earthquake.

Competition in the region is adapting to this emerging technology. Chile’s Entel, partnered with Starlink, reported that 10% of new users in Q2 2026 chose its network due to satellite service availability. Regulatory bodies such as Brazil’s Anatel and Argentina’s Enacom are revising regulations to accommodate D2D technologies, while companies like AST SpaceMobile and Elveo Mobile continue expanding their footprint.

This surge in D2D satellite connectivity demonstrates a transformative approach in bridging the digital divide across diverse and challenging Latin American terrains, enabling conventional mobile devices to maintain communication where terrestrial networks cannot reach.