Previously, industrial environments worked completely separately. That is, operating systems, responsible for controlling machines, sensors and physical processes, were separate from IT. There was no integration with corporate networks, and the cloud was something far away. It was a closed and parallel world, where security depended basically on physical control: disconnected local networks, systems without internet access and old industrial protocols that were not made thinking of digital threats.

But all this has changed in recent years. With digitization, production lines, equipment and industrial data need to communicate in real time 'NOT only within the factory, but also with corporate and cloud systems. The integration between OT and IT has brought efficiency, but also exposed vulnerabilities that previously did not exist. Many industries still operate with legacy infrastructures, without adequate protection against cyberattacks, old or outdated software, and this has become a great risk.

Collaboration between IT and OT is essential to protect industrial networks

According to IDC, “As industrial operations increasingly rely on IT and cloud resources, managing OT security in isolation is no longer feasible.” Collaboration between IT and OT is essential because threats can and do cross networks. Malware and ransomware pose as great a threat to OT as targeted attacks on industrial control systems (ICS). These threats cross from IT to OT, for example, when a control engineer clicks a malicious link in a phishing email, or when a service provider connects an infected pendrive to an OT station.

That is why there is the current urgency of innovation and cybersecurity to go hand in hand. Modernizing the industrial park with intelligent sensors, autonomous systems and platforms based on artificial intelligence will not be efficient if these advances are prevented from being executed due to a cyberattack.Each new technology implemented brings gains to the operation, but also expands the attack surface. 

And you must always keep in mind that: an exposed environment is the same as a paralyzed operation, a paralyzed operation is synonymous with countless losses. Innovation is only sustainable when it is accompanied by a protection strategy that evolves at the same pace. This includes from the choice of suppliers that prioritize security to the continuous training of teams, through access policies, network segmentation, constant updates and complete visibility of all connected assets. In Industry 4.0, protecting is as important as innovating 4.

How to deal with a lack of budget?

One of the biggest obstacles to achieving this need is the budget 4 or rather, the lack of it. Many companies simply do not allocate money to protect their systems, either by ignorance of the risks or by prioritizing more visible investments, such as new equipment or production processes. In most cases, digital security is not yet part of strategic planning, being treated only when an incident occurs. The problem is that without adequate resources, it is impossible to implement effective solutions, update legacy infrastructures or hire specialists. 

MetaIndustry Initiative

In this context, important initiatives arise such as MetaIndustry, a project developed by the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI) in partnership with technology companies to accelerate digital transformation in the sector. Combining physical and digital infrastructure, MetaIndustry offers a controlled environment where companies of different sizes can test and validate technological solutions with low cost and high precision. The proposal is clear: reduce entry barriers to innovation, allowing more industries to experiment, adjust and implement technologies safely and effectively, simulating real results in their operations.

More than investing, we need to evangelize

The industry needs to understand clearly that cybersecurity is part of the strategic budget. Protecting data, systems and operations does not only mean avoiding losses, but rather gaining market confidence, maintaining business continuity and creating a solid foundation for growth. The more industrial leaders understand the real risks and concrete benefits of a preventive approach, the more prepared they will be to make decisions that strengthen the future of the operation. Security is not a cost: it is a competitive differential in the era of Industry 4.0.

In recent years, Brazil has witnessed significant advances in new forms of wireless connectivity, especially in low-orbiting satellite internet and fixed wireless access (Fixed Wireless Access, or FWA). With the rapid expansion of 5G networks and the increased coverage provided by satellite constellations, the Brazilian market is now faced with a scenario in which these technologies can both compete and complement each other, depending on local conditions and the specific needs of users.

FWA 5G has been considered an alternative to take fixed broadband to places without fiber optic or cable infrastructure. Since December 2, 2024, all 5,570 Brazilian municipalities are able to receive standalone 5G technology, thanks to the release of the 3.5 GHz band by Anatel, anticipating in 14 months the schedule planned. Until March 2025, 5G was already present in more than 895 municipalities, especially the states of Sao Paulo (166), Santa Parana (122), Catarina 17), (16), Rio Grande (13).

In addition to the national telecoms, which have invested heavily in expansion, new regional entrants who acquired 5G licenses in the spectrum auction also bet on FWA. But despite the growing interest, the current reach is still modest compared to traditional broadband. Studies indicate that about 40% of operators with 5G globally already offer FWA challenges such as the cost of equipment and data franchises limit the adoption of FWA in mass. Because of this, the current FWA offers come with relatively restricted data franchises, and demand that the manufacturers reduce the cost of CPEs to enable further expansion.

In terms of coverage, FWA can be offered quickly 5G, including some operators already advertise the service in cities such as Sao Paulo and Campinas. On the other hand, in rural or remote areas, the absence of 5G towers is a limiter. Overall, FWA will be more widely used where there is already well-established cellular coverage, capitalizing on existing 5G infrastructure to deliver wireless fixed broadband.

Low-orbiting satellites: advancing rapidly

Parallel to the FWA, Brazil is witnessing a real revolution in the satellite internet, driven by low-orbiting satellites (LEO). Unlike traditional geostationary satellites (which orbit ~36 thousand km from Earth), LEO orbit a few hundred km, enabling much lower latencies and services more comparable to terrestrial broadband.

Since 2022, a large LEO constellation has come to serve the country and has been growing exponentially in users and capacity. Currently, satellite coverage already reaches practically 100% of the Brazilian territory SO it is enough that the user has an unobstructed view of the sky to connect. This includes everything from farms in remote areas in the interior of Brazil to riverside communities in the Amazon.

Recent data confirm the rapid growth of the LEO satellite user base in Brazil. An April 2025 report highlighted that the main low-orbit satellite internet service & Starlink 345 thousand active subscribers in Brazil, which represents an increase of 2.3 times in just one year 4th largest market in the world.

This impressive number 2 achieved in about two years of commercial operation 2023 positions satellite connectivity as a weight solution, especially in locations where terrestrial networks do not arrive. 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 North Region, with the LEO constellation accounting for 44% of these satellite accesses (about 37 thousand connections). In some states of the North, Starlinnk already holds more than half of its niche accesses.

The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) approved in April 2025 the expansion of the LEO satellite license, allowing the operation of 7.5 thousand additional satellites in addition to the approximately 4.4 thousand already authorized. With this, the constellation could reach almost 12 thousand satellites in orbit serving Brazil in the coming years, strengthening its capacity and coverage.

Performance & latency

Both systems can deliver broadband speeds, but the numbers depend on the available infrastructure. In measurements in Brazil, Starlink's LEO connection of 113 Mbps download and 22 Mbps upload, with performance superior to that of other satellites. On the other hand, FWA 5G, when using medium frequencies (3.5 GHz), can reach similar or higher speeds according to the proximity of the antenna and the availability of spectrum.

Regarding latency, a fixed 5G connection usually has latency in the range of 20 to 40 milliseconds, similar to a conventional mobile network suitable for real-time applications, videoconferencing etc. The constellation of low-orbit satellites recorded latencies around 50 ms in tests in Brazil, incredibly low compared to 600800 ms of geostationary satellites.

In practice, 50 ms is close enough to the fiber experience (which rotates at 520 ms) to support almost all applications without major losses. The 30 ms difference between FWA and LEO is not noticeable for most common applications, although 5G in stand-alone mode can theoretically lower latency further as the core infrastructure evolves.

Despite the similarities, in remote rural areas, or with poor infrastructure, satellite internet consolidates as a savior of the last mile. Where there are no cell towers nearby or fiber backhaul, implementing 5G may not be feasible in the short term 'The installation of a satellite antenna becomes the fastest and best performing output.

In the Brazilian agro, for example, the adoption of the LEO internet has been celebrated as a productivity factor, connecting farms that were previously offline. Even public agencies have resorted to the spatial solution to connect schools, health posts and bases in the forest. Therefore, in shadow areas of operators, the satellite has no competition 'it fills a niche of basic and advanced connectivity at the same time, leading from basic access to the internet to the possibilities of implementing IoT solutions in the field.

In contrast, in urban areas and regions with well-structured mobile networks, FWA 5G should prevail as a preferred option for fixed wireless access. This is because in cities there is high antenna density, capacity to spare, and competition between operators 5 factors that keep prices affordable and allow generous data packages. FWA can directly compete with traditional broadband in unwireable neighborhoods, offering fiber-like performance in many cases.

In conclusion, the new connectivity scenario in Brazil points to the complementary coexistence of FWA and satellite internet. This is not a frontal competition for the same market share, but to optimally meet different geographic and usage needs. Executives and decision makers should see these technologies as allies in the expansion of connectivity: the FWA taking advantage of the 5G infrastructure to deliver fast wireless broadband where it is economically viable, and the satellite covering the gaps and providing mobility and redundancy. This mosaic, if well coordinated, will ensure that digital transformation does not know physical boundaries, bringing quality internet from the center of metropolises to the sustainable and efficient confines of the country.