Starlink to provide satellite internet to 6,000 rural Argentine schools

The Argentine government has reached an agreement with Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide satellite internet connectivity to approximately 6,000 rural schools across the country. The initiative aims to bridge the digital divide in remote areas where traditional terrestrial networks are unavailable or insufficient.

The program involves a total investment of roughly USD 21.8 million. Starlink will provide 6,000 connectivity kits, including antennas and routers, along with two years of service. The remaining funding, approximately USD 12 million, will be provided by the Universal Service Fund to cover installation, technical support, and a third year of service to ensure continuity.

The agreement has faced criticism from provincial authorities and state-owned companies. Officials in La Rioja have raised concerns regarding technological sovereignty, data privacy, and the long-term fiscal impact, noting that after the initial period, schools will face significantly higher monthly costs compared to the services currently offered by the state-owned satellite company, ARSAT. Additionally, critics have pointed to the existing debt owed by the national government to ARSAT.