Astranis, a venture-backed startup specializing in small broadband satellites operating in distant orbits, has unveiled its mission to extend internet connectivity to a significant population in Mexico.
In collaboration with the Mexican internet service provider Apco Networks, Astranis plans to launch two satellites in the coming year. These satellites will facilitate broadband access for up to 5 million people in Mexico. While the partnership was initially announced in March, the specific number of beneficiaries was only recently disclosed.
A substantial portion of Mexico’s 127 million residents, approximately 30%, or roughly 38 million people, currently lack access to the internet. For many of the most remote and rural communities in the country, satellite technology represents the sole viable option for internet connectivity due to the challenging terrain, including mountains, which makes the implementation of alternatives like fiber optic cables extremely difficult.
Astranis CEO John Gedmark explained that the company is actively considering launching additional satellites to serve the remaining 33 million people in Mexico who will still lack reliable internet access. He emphasized the advantage of Astranis’ model, which allows for rapid initial capacity deployment, followed by expansion as demand grows.
Apco Networks will provide various types of connectivity services, including dedicated WiFi sites, rural cell service backhaul, and direct-to-enterprise internet connections. Astranis primarily focuses on selling broadband capacity to major telecommunications companies rather than individual subscriptions, a distinction from services like SpaceX’s Starlink. However, Gedmark pointed out that their strategy is highly effective at connecting large groups of people to the internet simultaneously.
Gedmark stated, “Serving individual homes is one way to help get people connected, but there are others that can be just as effective, if not more effective.” He highlighted the use of large, dedicated satellite links to connect cell towers or WiFi hotspots to the internet, enabling a single connection to serve numerous users in a given area.
The scheduled launch for the two Mexican satellites is in late 2024, coinciding with the launch of another Astranis satellite designated for the Philippines. Although Astranis encountered an issue with its first commercial satellite’s solar arrays shortly after its launch in May, the company is preparing to launch a backup satellite, UtilitySat, later this year. This mission will also transport three additional Astranis satellites, two for Anuvu, a provider of WiFi connectivity on boats and aircraft, and one for Grupo Andesat, a Peruvian cellular services backhaul provider.
