In recent years, Brazil has witnessed significant advancements in new forms of wireless connectivity, especially in low-earth orbit 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 both compete and complement each other, depending on local conditions and specific user needs.
FWA 5G has been considered an alternative to bring fixed broadband to areas 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, anticipating the scheduled timeline by 14 months. By March 2025, 5G was already present in over 895 municipalities, with notable presence in the states of São Paulo (166), Paraná (122), Minas Gerais (111), Santa Catarina (78), and Rio Grande do Sul (63).
In addition to national telcos, who heavily invested in expansion, new regional players that acquired 5G licenses in spectrum auctions are also focusing on FWA. However, despite the growing interest, the current reach is still modest compared to traditional broadband. Studies indicate that around 40% of global 5G operators already offer FWA – challenges like equipment costs and data caps limit mass adoption of FWA. As a result, current FWA offerings come with relatively limited data caps and require manufacturers to lower the cost of CPEs to enable further expansion.
In terms of coverage, FWA depends directly on the availability of the cellular network. In large cities and metropolitan areas where 5G is already present, FWA can be quickly offered – some operators already announce the service in cities like São Paulo and Campinas. On the other hand, in rural or remote areas, the lack of 5G towers is a limiting factor. Overall, FWA will be more used where there is already well-established cellular coverage, capitalizing on the existing 5G infrastructure to deliver fixed wireless broadband.
Low Earth Orbit Satellites: Advancing Quickly
Alongside FWA, Brazil is witnessing a true revolution in internet via satellite, driven by low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Unlike traditional geostationary satellites (which orbit at ~36,000 km from Earth), LEOs orbit a few hundred km, enabling much lower latencies and services more comparable to terrestrial broadband.
Since 2022, a large LEO constellation has been serving the country and has been growing exponentially in users and capacity. Currently, satellite coverage already reaches virtually 100% of the Brazilian territory – as long as the user has unobstructed sky view to connect. This includes everything from farms in remote areas in the interior of Brazil to riverside communities in the Amazon.
Recent data confirms the rapid growth of LEO satellite users base in Brazil. An April 2025 report highlighted that the main low Earth orbit satellite internet service – Starlink – already had 345 thousand active subscribers in Brazil, representing a 2.3 times increase in just one year – making the country the 4th largest market in the world.
This impressive number – achieved in about two years of commercial operation – positions satellite connectivity as a significant solution, especially in locations where terrestrial networks do not reach. For comparison, in September 2023, it was estimated that 0.8% of all broadband accesses in the country were already via satellite, a proportion that jumps to 2.8% in the Northern Region, with the LEO constellation accounting for 44% of these satellite accesses (about 37 thousand connections). In some Northern states, Starlink already holds more than half of all satellite accesses, reflecting its leadership in this niche.
The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) approved the expansion of the LEO satellite license in April 2025, allowing the operation of an additional 7,500 satellites beyond the approximately 4,400 already authorized. With this, the constellation could reach nearly 12,000 satellites in orbit serving Brazil in the coming years, enhancing its capacity and coverage.
Performance and latency
Both systems can deliver broadband speeds, but the numbers depend on the available infrastructure. In measurements in Brazil, Starlink’s LEO connection achieved 113 Mbps download and 22 Mbps upload, outperforming other satellites. On the other hand, FWA 5G, when using mid-band frequencies (3.5 GHz), can reach similar or higher speeds depending on the antenna proximity and spectrum availability.
Regarding latency, a fixed 5G connection typically has latency in the range of 20 to 40 milliseconds, similar to that of a conventional mobile network – suitable for real-time applications, video conferencing, etc. On the other hand, the low Earth orbit satellite constellation recorded latencies around 50 ms in tests in Brazil, an incredibly low level compared to the 600-800 ms of geostationary satellites.
In practice, 50 ms is close enough to the fiber experience (which runs in 5-20 ms) to support almost all applications without major drawbacks. The 30 ms difference between FWA and LEO is not noticeable for most common applications, although stand-alone 5G may theoretically further lower latency as the core infrastructure evolves.
Despite the similarities, in remote rural areas, or with precarious infrastructure, satellite internet emerges as the savior of the last mile. Where there are no nearby cell towers or fiber backhaul, implementing 5G may not be viable in the short term – installing a satellite antenna becomes the fastest and best-performing way out.
In Brazilian agriculture, for example, the adoption of LEO internet has been celebrated as a productivity factor, connecting farms that were previously offline. Even public entities have turned to the space solution to connect schools, health posts, and bases in the forest. Therefore, in areas shaded by operators, satellite has no competition – it fills a niche of basic and advanced connectivity at the same time, providing everything from basic internet access to the possibilities of implementing IoT solutions in the field.
On the other hand, in urban areas and regions with well-structured mobile networks, FWA 5G is expected to prevail as the preferred option for fixed wireless access. This is because cities have a high density of antennas, spare capacity, and competition between operators – factors that keep prices affordable and allow for generous data packages. FWA can directly compete with traditional broadband in non-cabled neighborhoods, offering performance similar to fiber in many cases.
In conclusion, the new connectivity scenario in Brazil points to the complementary coexistence of FWA and satellite internet. It’s not about a frontal competition for the same market share but about optimally serving different geographical and usage needs. Executives and decision-makers should see these technologies as allies in expanding connectivity: FWA leveraging 5G infrastructure to deliver fast wireless broadband where economically viable, and satellites filling in the gaps, providing mobility and redundancy. This mosaic, if well-coordinated, will ensure that digital transformation knows no physical boundaries, bringing quality internet from the center of metropolises to the farthest corners of the country, in a sustainable and efficient manner.
