Venezuela authorises Musk’s Starlink satellite Internet

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 11, 2026

Venezuela’s National Telecommunications Commission has granted seven licenses to SpaceX’s subsidiary, allowing Starlink satellite internet service to operate legally across the country. This move could enhance internet access nationwide, overcoming previous barriers posed by political tensions and U.S. sanctions that restricted Starlink’s formal presence.

Venezuela has officially authorised the operation of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service within the country, ending a ban that had been enforced during the presidency of Nicolas Maduro. The National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) granted seven licenses to SpaceX’s Venezuelan subsidiary on Friday, permitting the company to provide Starlink services nationwide.

Prior to the formal approval, approximately 3.6% of Venezuelan internet users were reportedly accessing the web through Starlink, according to data from the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC). The satellite internet service had been used informally despite regulatory restrictions.

Under Maduro’s administration, relations with Musk were contentious. The former president, who was removed from power in a U.S. military operation in January 2026, had publicly criticised Musk and targeted his technology companies. Maduro’s government also banned Musk’s social media platform, X, and detained individuals found selling Starlink antennas following Maduro’s contested reelection in 2024.

Following Maduro’s capture, Musk announced that Starlink would be made free for Venezuelan users for one month beginning in January 2026. The company resumed offering complimentary service again in late June to assist recovery efforts after twin earthquakes severely affected the northern region, particularly La Guaira.

Experts note that broader factors also influenced Starlink’s previous inability to operate openly in Venezuela. U.S. sanctions on the country, imposed before Maduro’s ousting, had hindered the company’s activities, according to Andres Azpurua, director of the digital rights group VE Sin Filtro. He explained that once Maduro was removed, Starlink executives expected fewer obstacles from U.S. authorities and began to increase their presence in Venezuela. However, the challenge of obtaining local regulatory approval remained until this week’s formal licensing by Conatel.

The licences mark a significant shift in Venezuela’s telecommunications landscape, potentially improving internet access through Starlink’s satellite-based infrastructure in a country where connectivity has long been limited by economic and political factors.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.