CIENEGUILLA, Peru—A message appeared on a smartphone screen in an area long considered a dead zone for mobile networks. On a hillside outside Lima, where conventional coverage has been absent, the device connected directly to a satellite hundreds of kilometers above Earth to send a WhatsApp message. The trial, conducted by Entel in collaboration with Starlink, highlighted the potential of satellite-to-cell connectivity while also underscoring its current constraints in Latin America.
Peru and Chile have become the first countries in the region to deploy Starlink’s “Direct to Cell” (D2C) technology, joining a select group of global markets where users can access basic services without relying on terrestrial infrastructure. The functionality remains restricted: WhatsApp and Google Maps operate, but only outdoors and primarily for messaging. Voice calls are expected to follow in the coming years. For now, the service serves as an early demonstration, prompting questions about its scalability, affordability, and accessibility.
The Gap That Satellites Are Trying to Fill
Peru’s challenging geography has long hindered efforts to achieve universal connectivity. Mountainous landscapes, dense rainforests, and remote coastal areas have left millions without consistent internet or mobile service. While progress has been made—reducing the number of unconnected citizens by roughly half in recent years—the remaining gaps are the most difficult to address. The regions still lacking coverage tend to have sparse populations and rugged terrain, which complicates traditional infrastructure development.
Officials at Entel Perú noted that mobile usage patterns in Latin America have shifted significantly. Where voice calls once dominated, data consumption now drives demand, reflecting broader trends in app-based communication, navigation, and digital transactions. However, this evolution has been uneven. Urban centers like Lima and Arequipa benefit from 4G and emerging 5G networks, while rural and remote communities continue to rely on outdated or nonexistent connectivity.
The satellite-to-cell service aims to narrow this divide, though its current limitations are evident. Users must have an unobstructed view of the sky, excluding indoor use or areas with dense foliage or tall buildings. The technology also depends on compatible devices, though Entel has not yet specified which models will support it. For sectors such as mining, agriculture, and transportation—often operating in Peru’s most isolated areas—the service could provide a valuable alternative if it expands beyond its present text-based capabilities.
From SMS to WhatsApp: A Small Step with Big Implications
The transition from SMS to WhatsApp may appear modest, but it reflects a meaningful shift in how satellite connectivity is being integrated into daily communication. In late 2025, Entel and Starlink conducted the first satellite SMS trials in Peru’s Cañón de los Perdidos in Ica. The more recent WhatsApp test in Cieneguilla represents the next stage, extending functionality from basic texting to app-based messaging—a change that aligns with how most Latin Americans now use their phones.
The implications for key industries are substantial. In mining, where operations frequently occur in remote Andean locations, real-time monitoring of equipment and personnel could enhance safety and efficiency. Transportation routes lacking signal—such as those leading to the port of Matarani in Arequipa—might gain basic tracking capabilities. Environmental monitoring in protected areas, where installing cell towers is impractical, could also benefit from satellite-enabled connectivity.
Yet the service’s current limitations are clear. WhatsApp functions, but only for messaging; voice and video remain unavailable. Google Maps works, but only in outdoor settings. The technology is not intended to replace terrestrial networks but rather to address specific gaps where traditional infrastructure is unfeasible. For consumers, cost remains a critical factor. Entel has not yet revealed pricing for the satellite service, leaving open the possibility that it may be positioned as a premium offering, accessible primarily to businesses or high-value users.
The Business Case: Why Latin America?
Entel’s recent investments in Peru reflect confidence in the market, despite ongoing political and regulatory challenges. The company has allocated significant funding across three areas: mobile network expansion, fiber-optic home services, and enterprise solutions. This commitment underscores a long-term strategy to strengthen connectivity in a region where demand for digital services continues to grow.
For Starlink, Latin America presents a strategic opportunity. The region’s combination of vast rural areas, underdeveloped infrastructure, and increasing digital demand makes it an ideal environment for testing satellite-to-cell services. Peru, in particular, has taken steps to address its connectivity gaps, though industry leaders have emphasized the need for stable regulatory frameworks to sustain long-term investments. This tension between ambition and uncertainty often accompanies large-scale infrastructure projects, where legal and political conditions can influence outcomes.
The partnership between Entel and Starlink extends beyond technology—it represents a strategic positioning in a market with significant growth potential. By being the first in Latin America to offer satellite-to-cell connectivity, both companies are establishing a foothold in a sector that could expand rapidly if the service proves viable. The coming years will be pivotal. If voice capabilities are successfully added, the service could transition from a niche solution to a more widely applicable tool. If not, it may remain a specialized offering, limited to industries willing to pay for basic connectivity in hard-to-reach locations.
Who Benefits—and Who’s Left Behind?
The WhatsApp message sent from Cieneguilla marked a milestone, but it also highlighted the distance satellite-to-cell technology must still travel. For millions of Peruvians in remote areas, the service offers potential—but only if it evolves beyond its current constraints. The requirement for open skies and compatible devices means that even within underserved regions, access may not be universal. Cost could pose another barrier, particularly if the service is priced as a premium offering, potentially excluding low-income users and deepening digital inequality.
For businesses, the equation differs. Industries like mining, agriculture, and logistics operate in environments where traditional connectivity is often unreliable or absent. For these sectors, even a limited satellite service could be transformative—provided it delivers on its promises. The ability to send WhatsApp messages from a remote mine site or track shipments in real time could justify the investment. However, if the service remains confined to text-based communication, its impact may be gradual rather than revolutionary.
The next phase—voice calls—will serve as a crucial test. If successful, it could pave the way for broader adoption, including in consumer markets. If not, the service may remain a niche solution, valuable to specific industries but not a transformative force for the wider population. The broader challenge lies in determining whether satellite-to-cell connectivity can move beyond its current limitations to serve a larger audience, or if it will remain a tool for a select few.