In a decisive move to modernise its digital infrastructure, Bolivia has officially opened its doors to global satellite internet providers. The nation's new centrist government has issued a decree removing barriers for companies like SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper to operate across the Andean country.
Reversing Policy to Close the Digital Gap
President Rodrigo Paz signed the decree on Tuesday, 24 December 2025, effectively overturning a ban imposed by his socialist predecessor, Luis Arce. The previous administration had blocked SpaceX from obtaining a licence last year, citing concerns over data protection and national sovereignty.
President Paz stated the policy shift aims to "reduce the digital divide" and guarantee high-quality internet access for all Bolivians. He lamented that the country had become "spectators while the rest of the world advanced," but declared that era over, promising to "make up for lost time" with new technologies.
The End of an Era for Outdated Satellite Tech
For over a decade, Bolivia relied on a single Chinese satellite, the Tupac Katari, purchased in 2013 under left-wing leader Evo Morales. Despite promises it would "enlighten the people," the geostationary satellite, orbiting 35,000 km from Earth, failed to deliver fast connectivity to homes and mobile phones.
This outdated technology is a key reason Bolivia holds an unenviable record. A November 2025 report by connectivity firm Ookla found Bolivia has the slowest mobile and fixed broadband speeds in all of South America. In contrast, modern low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites used by Starlink orbit at just 550 km, enabling dramatically faster data transmission.
Broader Economic Ambitions and Domestic Unrest
The internet decree is part of a wider strategy by President Paz to attract international investment and tackle a severe economic crisis marked by dollar shortages. He revealed that companies including Tesla, Amazon, Tether, and Oracle are planning to invest in data centres near the cities of El Alto and Cochabamba.
However, Paz's reform agenda is meeting resistance. Earlier in the week, he signed another decree eliminating long-standing fuel subsidies to mend public finances. This prompted widespread protests and strikes by labour unions across the country on Monday, highlighting the challenging path ahead for his administration.
The success of this tech-focused pivot now hinges on whether cutting-edge satellite connectivity can finally bring Bolivia's internet out of the slow lane and stimulate the economic growth the government desperately seeks.
