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mexico

02 Jun 2025

Rural connectivity in Mexico

Rural connectivity in Mexico
Connecting rural Mexico to the internet remains one of the country's most persistent and complex challenges.

While urban and industrial hubs continue to benefit from fibre-optic networks and 5G deployment, vast rural areas - particularly in southern Mexico, such as Oaxaca and Chiapas - still face limited or no access to reliable internet. The rugged terrain, remote communities, and lack of infrastructure make traditional connectivity solutions, like fibre and fixed wireless, logistically difficult and financially unfeasible. This has contributed to a significant gap in connectivity levels between urban ands rural Mexican residents who are regular users of the Internet - 85.5% against 66% in 2023.

To address this, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology is emerging as a game-changing solution. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, secured a $89.8 million USD contract to provide free satellite internet across Mexico until the end of 2026. This initiative is focused on delivering connectivity to the country’s most remote and underserved areas, with the aim of bridging the digital divide in education, healthcare, disaster response, and public services.

Other major players are also entering the space. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is pushing forward with Project Kuiper, its LEO satellite constellation set to compete with Starlink. Meanwhile, OneWeb, another leading satellite provider, is building out its own presence in Mexico. Together, Starlink and OneWeb are becoming the main satellite backbone for rural connectivity efforts, often deployed through local carriers and integrators like Cirion, which serve as middlemen between satellite providers and end users.

Satellite integrators like Speedcast and Marlink, are key integrators for both Starlink and OneWeb, playing a crucial role in deployment and maintenance.

While terrain and infrastructure limitations continue to hinder rural connectivity in Mexico, satellite technology is rapidly closing the gap. With public contracts, private investment, and technological innovation coming together, the future looks promising for even the most remote corners of the country.

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