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Argentina to Equip 6,000 Rural Schools With Starlink Internet

The public‑private deal aims to close the education digital gap by giving isolated schools prioritized satellite service plus state‑funded installation and a third year of coverage.

Overview

  • President Javier Milei announced the plan during his speech at the 138th Exposición Rural on Sunday, and the agreement was formalized by presidential spokesperson Adrián Ravier in later briefings.
  • Starlink will donate 6,000 complete satellite kits and provide 24 months of its highest‑capacity prioritized service with up to 5 terabytes per month per school.
  • ENACOM and its Universal Service Fund will cover installation, technical support, network monitoring and a third year of service, with the government’s contribution and Starlink’s donation totaling about US$22 million.
  • The Secretaría de Educación will coordinate with ENACOM, provincial governments and municipalities to identify and georeference schools and to organize installations and ongoing support.
  • The move builds on a 2024 regulatory opening for satellite operators and on a close political relationship between Milei and Elon Musk; it is expected to benefit hundreds of thousands of students but also raises operational questions about logistics and local capacity for high‑demand areas.