Elon Musk’s Starlink faces growing pressure from global competitors as it strives to maintain its leadership in high-speed satellite internet. The ambitious network is now contending with a state-backed Chinese rival and an alternative service backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Shanghai-based SpaceSail is making significant moves in the market. In November, the firm secured an agreement to enter Brazil and soon after announced that it was in discussions with more than 30 countries. The Kazakh embassy in Beijing confirmed that SpaceSail began operations in Kazakhstan earlier this year.

Brazil, seeking improved connectivity for its remote regions, is also negotiating with Bezos’s Project Kuiper and Canada’s Telesat, according to a local official involved in the talks.

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Since 2020, Starlink has set itself apart by deploying more low-Earth orbit satellites—flying at less than 2,000 kilometers altitude—than its competitors combined. These satellites enable the delivery of fast internet to isolated communities, ships at sea, and even military operations.

However, Musk’s increasing dominance in the space sector has raised alarms in Beijing, which is ramping up investments in rival systems and supporting military research into satellite tracking.

Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell’s analysis, highlighted by tech consultancy Analysys Mason, shows that China launched a record 263 low-Earth orbit satellites last year. This surge in competition has been welcomed by Brazil’s government, which has had its share of disputes with Musk over commercial and political issues.

A state-controlled Chinese newspaper recently described Starlink as a transformative technology—capable of transcending national borders and providing universal coverage—emphasizing the strategic importance of mastering such capabilities.

While few rivals match Starlink’s aggressive expansion plans, SpaceSail, under the auspices of the Shanghai municipal government, aims to deploy 648 satellites this year and up to 15,000 by 2030. In contrast, Starlink currently operates around 7,000 satellites and has set its sights on reaching 42,000 by decade’s end.

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