Anatel: Starlink may lose license to operate in Brazil if it does not block X

In yet another development on the tension involving companies Elon Musk with the Brazilian Justice, the Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency)through its president, Carlos Baigorrideclared that the Starlink may lose its license to operate in Brazil if it does not block access to X.

As we reported earlierElon Musk’s satellite internet provider company, Starlink, informed Anatel that it would not follow the court’s ruling on blocking access to X in Brazil. A measure that was followed by other internet providers in the country.

In a statement to the Estúdio I programfrom Globonews, Baiogi said that, if the non-compliance with the court decision, instituted by the minister of the Supreme Federal Court, Alexandre de Moraes, is proven, and reaffirmed unanimously in the SFT assessment which determined the maintenance of the suspension of the platform in Brazil, Anatel will open an administrative process.

In this case, Starlink, which will have the right to a full defense and the possibility of appealing the decision, could lose its license to operate in the country. Currently, Starlink has around 224.5 thousand customers in Brazil. The company leads the national market for providing internet via satellite, with a 47.1% market share.

“Everything follows the Administrative Procedure Law, and the possible sanctions are those provided for in the General Telecommunications Law. In a gradation, starting with a warning, a fine, and then the cancellation of the license. […] that from that moment on she [Starlink] loses the authorization to provide telecommunications services in Brazil”explains Carlos Baigorri, president of Anatel.