News

China’s SpaceSail to Challenge Elon Musk’s Starlink in Brazil

(Bloomberg) — Elon Musk’s Chinese rival in the satellite internet business plans to start operations in Brazil in 2026, the head of the Shanghai-based company told Bloomberg News Tuesday.

SpaceSail’s Jason Jie Zheng signed a memorandum of understanding with Brazilian telecommunications company Telecomunicacoes Brasileiras S.A. to study the demand for satellite internet areas where fiber optic infrastructure doesn’t work.

The MOU was struck amid President Xi Jinping’s visit to Brazil. He attended the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro and on Wednesday will sign a series of agreements with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in the capital, Brasilia.

Lula is looking to China to help foster Brazil’s economic development. But it’s a pivot that risks a clash with Donald Trump, as the US president-elect promises a harder stance against China and its push into the Americas.

Chinese investments in Brazil are moving from announcement to fruition. BYD’s most extensive electric-vehicle operation outside of Asia and a local partnership with Chinese smartphone maker Oppo are just two such ventures.

In a brief interview after the event Tuesday night, Jie Zheng said SpaceSail will begin providing internet in Brazil in two years’ time and will open a subsidiary in the country by the end of this year.

“Our MOU with Telebras is not only a partnership but also a shared commitment to empowering underserved regions of Brazil,” he said in a speech. “By combining Telebras’s expertise with SpaceSail’s cutting edge solution, we aim to support Brazil’s national initiative with our broadband services and digital industrial solutions and drive access to essential services like education, public health, government.”

SpaceSail launched its first batch of 18 satellites into orbit in August, with a second launch of another 18 last month. That leaves 600 plus to go before the first phase of its planned constellation will be ready, targeted for the end of next year.

This week’s event follows a Brazilian government tour at SpaceSail headquarters in October, just after a monthslong clash between Musk and Brazil’s top court, which culminated in million-dollar fines and X being banned in Latin America’s largest economy.

Starlink had its bank accounts frozen in Brazil in a bid to force X to comply with legal orders. Musk eventually gave in, the accounts were unblocked and access to the US billionaire’s social media platform was restored across the country.

Starlink is the leading provider of satellite internet services, with a 46% market share in Brazil. Musk’s company only holds 0.5% of total broadband market in the country, with 265,000 customers as of September.

Communications Minister Juscelino Filho denied any retaliatory link between Brazil’s feud with Musk and its courtship of his Chinese rivals in the sector.

“Brazil is always with open arms to everyone who can offer quality services with fair prices and security to the Brazilian population,” Filho told journalists. “Nothing in any industry is good when you only have one provider,” he said.

Related Posts

Melania Trump sues Hunter Biden for over $US1 billion over ‘defamatory’ Epstein comments

Melania Trump has demanded Hunter Biden “retract the false, defamatory, and lewd” statements he made about her that referenced her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, according to Fox News. Lawyers…

BBC News reported: 30 minutes ago! Trump orders Whoopi Goldberg deported from the US — “The View” host fires back: He knew I had secrets that could hurt the midterm elections

President Trump’s Demand for Whoopi Goldberg’s Departure Sparks Firestorm. In a stunning development, President Donald Trump issued a provocative statement today at a White House press conference, demanding…

BREAKING NEWS: 30 minutes ago, Aidan Hutchinson sends 5-word message to NFL that shocks Roger Goodell, after Detroit Lions fined $50 million for refusing to post Pride Month message on social media…

The hot news has just been released from the National Rugby Federation (NFL) when Aidan Hutchinson, the defensive star of the Detroit Lions team, sent a brief message…

“YOU DEFAMED ME ON LIVE TV — NOW PAY THE PRICE!” — Country music powerhouse Carrie Underwood has filed a $50 million lawsuit against *The View* and Whoopi Goldberg, accusing them of “vicious, calculated defamation” after Whoopi Goldberg insulted Carrie Underwood live on air, causing her to lose multiple contracts and damaging her reputation

Carrie Underwood, one of country music’s most celebrated artists, has taken legal action against The View and its co-host Whoopi Goldberg, filing a staggering $50 million lawsuit over what she…

BREAKING: Texas has APPROVED a new redistricting map that adds five Republican seats, removes five Democrat seats, and ELIMINATES Jasmine Crockett’s position

Texas has recently approved a controversial new redistricting map that significantly alters the state’s political landscape. The decision, finalized by the Texas legislature, introduces changes that are set…

BREAKING: U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro will personally investigate “Shifty” Adam Schiff. President Trump has just unleashed the “perfect weapon.” The very first target of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is none other than Adam Schiff. This is the same Schiff who LIED to the American people, smeared President Trump, and pushed FAKE investigations for years

In a stunning turn of events that has captured national attention, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is set to personally lead an investigation into Representative Adam Schiff, a figure…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *