In recent years, Brazil has witnessed significant advances in new forms of wireless connectivity, particularly in low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet and fixed wireless access (FWA). With the rapid expansion of 5G networks and increased coverage provided by satellite constellations, the Brazilian market now faces a scenario where these technologies can either compete or complement each other, depending on local conditions and users’ specific needs.
5G FWA has been considered an alternative for bringing fixed broadband to locations without fiber optic or cable infrastructure. Since December 2, 2024, all 5,570 Brazilian municipalities are eligible to receive standalone 5G technology thanks to the release of the 3.5 GHz band by Anatel, 14 months ahead of schedule. By March 2025, 5G was already available in over 895 municipalities, with São Paulo (166), Paraná (122), Minas Gerais (111), Santa Catarina (78), and Rio Grande do Sul (63) leading the way.
In addition to national telecom companies, which have heavily invested in expansion, new regional entrants who acquired 5G licenses in the spectrum auction are also betting on FWA. However, despite growing interest, current reach remains modest compared to traditional broadband. Studies indicate that about 40% of global 5G operators already offer FWA—challenges such as equipment costs and data caps limit widespread FWA adoption. As a result, current FWA offerings come with relatively restrictive data caps, requiring manufacturers to reduce CPE costs to enable larger-scale expansion.
In terms of coverage, FWA directly depends on cellular network availability. In large cities and metropolitan areas where 5G is already present, FWA can be quickly deployed—some providers have already announced service in cities like São Paulo and Campinas. On the other hand, in rural or remote areas, the absence of 5G towers is a limiting factor. Overall, FWA will be most utilized where established cellular coverage exists, leveraging existing 5G infrastructure to deliver fixed wireless broadband.
Low Earth orbit satellites: advancing rapidly
Alongside FWA, Brazil is experiencing a revolution in satellite internet driven by low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Unlike traditional geostationary satellites (which orbit ~36,000 km from Earth), LEO satellites orbit just a few hundred kilometers away, enabling much lower latency and services more comparable to terrestrial broadband.
Since 2022, a major LEO constellation has been serving Brazil, growing exponentially in users and capacity. Currently, satellite coverage reaches nearly 100% of Brazilian territory—users only need an unobstructed view of the sky to connect. This includes remote farms in Brazil’s interior and riverside communities in the Amazon.
Recent data confirms the rapid growth of LEO satellite users in Brazil. An April 2025 report highlighted that the leading LEO satellite internet service—Starlink—already had 345,000 active subscribers in Brazil, a 2.3-fold increase in just one year, making it the 4th largest market worldwide.
This impressive number—achieved in about two years of commercial operation—positions satellite connectivity as a major solution, especially in underserved areas. For comparison, in September 2023, satellite broadband accounted for 0.8% of all broadband connections in Brazil, rising to 2.8% in the North Region, with LEO constellations representing 44% of those satellite connections (~37,000). In some northern states, Starlink holds over half of all satellite connections, reflecting its leadership in this niche.
In April 2025, Anatel approved expanding the LEO satellite license, allowing an additional 7,500 satellites beyond the ~4,400 already authorized. This will enable the constellation to reach nearly 12,000 satellites serving Brazil in the coming years, enhancing its capacity and coverage.
Performance and latency
Both systems can deliver broadband speeds, but performance depends on available infrastructure. In Brazil, Starlink’s LEO connection averaged 113 Mbps download and 22 Mbps upload speeds, outperforming other satellites. Meanwhile, 5G FWA using mid-band frequencies (3.5 GHz) can achieve similar or higher speeds depending on antenna proximity and spectrum availability.
Regarding latency, fixed 5G connections typically range from 20–40 ms, similar to conventional mobile networks—adequate for real-time applications like video calls. LEO satellite constellations recorded latencies around 50 ms in Brazilian tests, remarkably low compared to the 600–800 ms of geostationary satellites.
In practice, 50 ms is sufficiently close to fiber (5–20 ms) to support nearly all applications without major drawbacks. The 30 ms difference between FWA and LEO isn’t noticeable for most common uses, though standalone 5G could theoretically reduce latency further as core infrastructure evolves.
Despite similarities, in remote rural areas with poor infrastructure, satellite internet emerges as the last-mile savior. Where nearby cell towers or fiber backhaul are absent, deploying 5G may not be feasible short-term—installing a satellite dish becomes the fastest and highest-performance solution.
In Brazilian agriculture, for example, LEO internet adoption has boosted productivity, connecting previously offline farms. Even public agencies have turned to satellite solutions for schools, health posts, and forest bases. Where carriers don’t reach, satellites face no competition—serving both basic and advanced connectivity needs, from internet access to IoT solutions in rural areas.
Conversely, in urban areas with robust mobile networks, 5G FWA will likely prevail as the preferred fixed wireless option. High antenna density, ample capacity, and carrier competition keep prices affordable with generous data plans. FWA can compete directly with traditional broadband in non-cabled neighborhoods, often delivering fiber-like performance.
In conclusion, Brazil’s connectivity landscape points to complementary coexistence between FWA and satellite internet. Rather than competing for the same market share, they optimally serve different geographic and usage needs. Decision-makers should view these technologies as allies in expanding connectivity: FWA leverages 5G infrastructure where economically viable, while satellites cover underserved areas with mobility and redundancy. Well-coordinated, this mosaic will ensure digital transformation transcends physical boundaries, sustainably delivering quality internet from cities to remote corners of the country.
