Brazil is rich in both renewable and nonrenewable resources, making it a global powerhouse in mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. As improved transportation networks make these resources more accessible for export and domestic use, reliable internet connectivity becomes increasingly vital for Brazil’s burgeoning industries and growing population.
Given Brazil’s vast and diverse landscapes—including expansive plains, dense rainforests, wetlands, and the Amazon River—establishing traditional telecommunications infrastructure poses significant challenges. To thrive in today’s market, businesses must explore innovative connectivity solutions. Here’s an overview of the available options.
Since its launch in Brazil in 2022, Starlink has rapidly established itself as a leader in the satellite internet market. Its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites deliver high-speed, low-latency internet, making it an ideal solution for the remote Amazon region. The easy-to-install antennas allow for quick deployment in hard-to-reach areas. With download speeds between 25 and 220 Mbps and upload speeds from 5 to 10 Mbps, Starlink’s enterprise solutions offer enhanced reliability backed by a 99.9% service level agreement (SLA).
Starlink has also played a crucial role in disaster recovery efforts. In 2024, SC CapRock, Speedcast’s Brazilian entity, donated Starlink terminal kits and airtime to the government of Rio Grande do Sul, supporting first responders in the wake of devastating floods in the region.
Despite its advantages, Starlink faces challenges in Brazil, such as regulatory and capacity constraints in major cities like Rio de Janeiro and Manaus. This raises the question: what other connectivity options are available?
Eutelsat OneWeb: Bridging the Connectivity Gap
Eutelsat OneWeb is partnering with the Brazilian government to enhance digital infrastructure across the country, having established two satellite gateways in Petrolina and Maricá. This high-bandwidth, low-latency LEO connectivity is ideally suited for enterprises and aims to bridge the digital divide in underserved areas. During testing, OneWeb demonstrated an average speed of 50 Mbps for downloads and 10 Mbps for uploads, with latency comparable to traditional geostationary (GEO) satellites.
OneWeb’s guaranteed service and committed information rate (CIR) make it an excellent choice for secure communications in industries such as government, defense, mining, and oil and gas. With a diverse range of terminal options, OneWeb can accommodate various asset types, including banking systems, offshore platforms, and railway transportation.
Iridium Certus: Reliable Communication in Challenging Conditions
Iridium’s L-band LEO constellation offers a weather-resilient alternative to Brazil’s inland and offshore operations. Although its maximum speed is 704 Kbps, Iridium Certus excels in providing reliable broadband and voice services, making it suitable for IoT applications and safety services. The robust equipment connects onboard computers and other essential devices, ensuring efficient real-time communication. This service enables secure asset control and includes functionalities such as internet access, telemetry for effective remote maintenance, Radio over Internet Protocol (RoIP), and voice calls, allowing direct contact with onboard operators during critical moments.
Additionally, Iridium offers an unmatched solution for maritime safety through its Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), the most advanced in the industry. This system ensures that aid can be dispatched globally in emergencies, with coverage extending to the Arctic and Antarctic waters. Iridium guarantees connectivity for vessels venturing beyond local waters, making it a cost-effective choice for ship operators prioritizing safety.
VSAT Network: Robust Connectivity for Critical Operations
The local SC CapRock team in Brazil has been providing essential support to major power plants and oil and gas companies through Speedcast’s advanced global Ku-band and C-band VSAT networks. These networks guarantee minimum bandwidth, ensuring reliable voice and data transmission even in remote locations. The VSAT network supports vital services, including supervisory control systems, CCTV, VoIP, and internet access.
Operating from its teleport in Macaé, which has been recognized by the World Teleport Association for its high standards, SC CapRock ensures stability and high availability—key factors for effective operations in critical sectors.
Private LTE: Tailored Solutions for Remote Locations
An effective alternative to satellite networks is the Private LTE solution. SC CapRock utilizes Nokia technology to deploy private LTE networks specifically designed for mission-critical applications in remote Brazilian locations. With low latency and the ability to extend coverage using Starlink, this solution is transforming connectivity for sectors like energy and telecommunications.
By deploying portable radio base stations, customers can easily expand coverage to remote areas leveraging Starlink’s satellite network as a backhaul link to connect data from the base transceiver station (BTS) to a previously deployed Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) private wireless core. Additionally, LTE access points can be set up for smartphones, which allow for push-to-talk and push-to-video communications, enabling instant connectivity and the ability to share video streams for enhanced collaboration and rapid problem-solving. This streamlined approach minimizes the complexity for small remote sites, reducing the need for new private wireless cores, towers, and energy systems. Beyond voice and video, the technology can also transmit telemetry data from wells or deep in the rainforest, facilitating applications like video-based AI for detecting unauthorized access and tracking worker health and safety.
Located in Macaé, SC CapRock’s Brazil Innovation Center allows customers to explore cutting-edge technology and industry-specific solutions. Here, visitors can see the SIGMA network management platform in action, which integrates various connection types—LEO, GEO, MEO VSAT, L-band, 4G/LTE, microwave, and fiber—ensuring reliable internet access.
With the SIGMA intelligent edge platform, customers can seamlessly combine multiple connections into a single, secure service, enhancing application performance and availability.
Accelerating Digital Transformation with Expert Support
SC CapRock’s Professional Engineering and Systems Integration services provide specialized support in engineering design, installation, and project management throughout Brazil. We help companies navigate the complexities of digital transformation with strategic roadmaps that ensure timely delivery and enhance system capabilities.
As new satellite constellations like Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, Telesat Lightspeed, and China’s SpaceSail emerge, we are prepared to integrate these technologies into your operations seamlessly. By adopting a holistic connectivity solution, you can improve operational efficiency and maintain critical communications, even in the most remote environments.
Speak with our experts to explore the connectivity options that will accelerate your operations.