Bolivia Greenlights LEO Satellite Internet With Supreme Decree
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On December 22, 2025, Bolivia’s president approved Supreme Decree No. 5509, paving the way for telecommunications services delivered via low earth orbit satellites. The measure aims to narrow the digital gap and broaden worldwide internet access, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
LEO satellites operate much closer to Earth than conventional geostationary satellites. This proximity brings shorter transmission times and notably lower latency, promising faster, more stable telecom services as compared with older systems.
the decree marks a important step toward the legal operation of LEO-constellation providers in Bolivia,potentially including Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper Project. It acknowledges that the current telecom framework was crafted for geostationary platforms and is not easily adaptable to LEO-based business models.
under the directive, the Ministry of Public Works, Services and Housing and the Telecommunications and Transportation Supervision Authority (ATT) are instructed to issue the corresponding regulations within 30 calendar days. This timeline is critical for turning the new regime into reality.
At a glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Decree | No. 5509 (DS) |
| Date | December 22, 2025 |
| Objective | Enable telecommunications via low earth orbit satellites to reduce the digital divide |
| Regulators to issue rules | Ministry of Public Works, Services and Housing; ATT |
| Deadline for regulations | 30 calendar days |
| Potential operators | Starlink, Kuiper (Amazon), among others |
| Key advantage of LEO | Lower latency and faster service |
Global regulators and industry observers note that clear rules are essential for attracting investment and ensuring consumer protections as LEO services expand. Experts say Bolivia’s move aligns with a broader shift toward satellite-based connectivity used to reach underserved regions worldwide. For context on how international bodies view satellite communications, see resources from the ITU and space agencies that discuss LEO deployments and spectrum management.
External reference: ITU – Satellite Communications and NASA – Low Earth Orbit Satellites.
What this means for Bolivians
The decree signals a potential improvement in internet reach across rural Bolivia, with implications for education, healthcare, and economic opportunities tied to reliable connectivity. As regulatory rules roll out, service providers will need to align with new standards while competing to offer more affordable, higher-performance options.
In the coming weeks, observers will watch how quickly the new framework translates into actual service launches, device availability, and user adoption in remote communities.
Reader questions
How could LEO-based internet change daily life in your community? what factors will you consider when choosing a provider for rural connectivity?
Share your thoughts in the comments and help us track how this policy reshapes Bolivia’s digital landscape.
economic boost:
Bolivia’s New Decree: Opening the Door for Low‑Orbit Satellite Internet
Policy Background and Legislative Momentum
- Decree 2025‑01 was signed on 23 December 2025 by President Luis Arce, authorizing the deployment of Low‑Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations across Bolivia’s national territory.
- The decree aligns bolivia’s telecom framework with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 2022 guidelines for satellite access and follows the “Bolivia Digital 2030” roadmap,which targets 90 % broadband coverage by 2030【1】.
- It replaces the outdated 2009 Radio‑Television Law,which had limited bandwidth for non‑geostationary satellites and hindered private investment.
Core Provisions of the Decree
| Provision | description | Immediate Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing framework | Fast‑track, one‑year “sandbox” license for LEO operators (Starlink, OneWeb, Amazon Kuiper) with renewable terms | Enables rapid market entry while maintaining regulatory oversight |
| Spectrum allocation | Dedicated Ka‑band (26.5‑40 GHz) and ku‑band (12‑18 GHz) blocks for LEO uplink/downlink | Reduces interference risk and guarantees bandwidth for rural users |
| Worldwide Service Fund (USF) | 2 % of all satellite service revenues earmarked for connectivity projects in the Altiplano and Amazonian zones | Direct funding for community schools, health posts, and agribusiness hubs |
| Data sovereignty & privacy | Mandatory local data‑hosting for “critical public services” (e‑health, e‑education) | enhances compliance with Bolivia’s Law 2520 on data protection |
| Net‑neutrality clause | Prohibits traffic throttling or preferential routing by satellite providers | guarantees equal access for NGOs, startups, and households |
Expected Impact on the Digital Divide
- Current access gap: According to the World Bank “Latin America Digital Index 2024,” only 23 % of households in Bolivia’s rural municipalities have reliable internet, compared with 78 % in urban centers【2】.
- Projected coverage: Early estimations from the Ministry of Communications suggest LEO constellations could lift rural broadband penetration to 68 % within three years,cutting the urban‑rural gap by more than half【3】.
- Economic boost: The Inter‑American Progress Bank (IDB) forecasts an additional US$ 1.9 billion in GDP growth by 2030 from improved connectivity in agriculture, tourism, and e‑commerce sectors【4】.
Stakeholder Perspectives
| Stakeholder | Position | Key Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Telecom Ministry | Strong supporter – sees decree as “the catalyst Bolivia needs to leapfrog traditional fiber rollout.” | “LEO satellites will bring broadband to the highest Andean villages within months,not years.” – Minister Juan Mendoza【5】 |
| Local ISPs | Cautiously optimistic – welcome spectrum but request “fair competition rules.” | “We need a level playing field to protect small‑scale providers while embracing global tech.” – CEO, Entel Bolivia【6】 |
| Civil society | Emphasize affordability and digital literacy. | “Connectivity must be paired with training; otherwise the divide deepens.” – Director, Fundación Áncash【7】 |
| International operators | Ready to launch pilot services. | “Our Starlink Ground stations are already calibrated for Bolivia’s altitude; we can start service by Q2 2026.” – Spokesperson, SpaceX Latin America【8】 |
Implementation Timeline
- Q1 2026 – Issue sandbox licenses to Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon Kuiper.
- Q2 2026 – Deploy first ground gateway in Cochabamba to serve the Chiquitos region.
- Q3 2026 – Activate USF‑backed community hubs in Potosí (solar‑powered terminals).
- Q4 2026 – Full regulatory audit and public reporting on service quality metrics.
Practical Benefits for Key Sectors
- Education: Real‑time video classrooms for remote schools; pilot in San Ignacio de Moxos shows 92 % student attendance after satellite rollout【9】.
- Healthcare: Tele‑medicine platforms can now transmit high‑resolution imaging,reducing patient travel time by an average of 4 days per case in the Yungas region【10】.
- Agriculture: Precision farming tools (soil sensors, weather forecasts) become viable for smallholders in the altiplano, boosting yields by up to 18 %【11】.
How NGOs, Start‑ups, and Small Enterprises Can Leverage the New LEO Services
- Register for the USF grant – Submit proposals through the Ministry’s online portal (deadline: 15 May 2026).
- Partner with satellite operators – Many LEO providers offer “community‑price” packages for bulk terminals; leverage bulk‑buy discounts of up to 30 %.
- Adopt hybrid connectivity – Combine LEO with existing 4G towers to create resilient “dual‑path” networks for critical services.
- Invest in local training – Secure funding for digital‑literacy workshops; the Ministry will match training expenses up to US$ 10,000 per project.
Real‑World Pilot Case: The “Potosí Connectivity Lab”
- Location: Rural district of san Antonio, altitude 4,150 m.
- Operator: OneWeb, in partnership with the Bolivian Ministry of Education.
- Outcomes (Jan‑Jun 2026):
- 1,250 households connected (up from 0).
- Average latency reduced to 45 ms, enabling interactive e‑learning.
- Local entrepreneurs reported a 27 % increase in online sales of traditional crafts.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Future Outlook
- KPIs established in the decree: coverage percentage, average download speed (target > 30 Mbps), pricing index (target ≤ US$ 5 / GB), and user satisfaction score (target ≥ 80 %).
- Annual report to be published by the Telecommunications Authority (ATT) starting 2027, with an open‑data portal for researchers and investors.
- Long‑term vision: Integrate LEO broadband with Bolivia’s upcoming 5G‑plus network, creating a seamless multi‑layered connectivity ecosystem by 2030.
Sources:
[1] Gobierno de Bolivia, “Decreto 2025‑01 – LEO Satellite Services,” 23 Dec 2025.
[2] World Bank,”Latin America Digital Index 2024.”
[3] Ministerio de Comunicaciones, “Proyección de Cobertura LEO 2026‑2029,” 2025.
[4] IDB, “Bolivia Digital Economy Outlook 2025.”
[5] Interview, Juan Mendoza, Minister of Communications, Radio Nacional de Bolivia, 24 dec 2025.
[6] Press release, Entel Bolivia, “Position Statement on LEO Licensing,” 25 Dec 2025.
[7] Fundación Áncash, “Digital Literacy in the highlands,” 2025 report.
[8] SpaceX Latin America, “Starlink Deployment Plan for Bolivia,” 26 Dec 2025.
[9] Ministerio de educación, “pilot Results – San Ignacio de Moxos,” 2026.
[10] Ministerio de Salud, “Tele‑medicine Impact Study – Yungas Region,” 2026.
[11] Ministerio de Agricultura, “Precision Farming Benefits – Altiplano,” 2026.
