Vivo has launched Vivo Satélite, a service built with Starlink that connects your phone directly to satellites when there is no regular network signal. It works for messages, maps and in-app calls, with no extra antenna, and costs nothing extra for the first 12 months for eligible individual customers.
The announcement came on October 26, 2026, and drew attention for a simple reason: anyone who has lost signal on a highway or in the countryside knows how much that matters. Below is what was announced, what you can do with it and what is still left out.
What is Vivo Satélite
The service was developed with Starlink Mobile, from SpaceX, and reaches a base of 50 million subscribers. The technology is called Direct to Device (D2D): a regular smartphone talks directly to low Earth orbit satellites, without the Starlink dish many people already know.
In practice, it works much like roaming: when the phone loses the terrestrial signal, it switches on its own to the satellite network, which shows up on the device as "VIVO STARLINK". You don't need to change your SIM card.
Vivo's terrestrial network already covers 98% of Brazil's population. The satellite covers what is left: highways, rural areas and remote regions.
How satellites "talk" to your phone
Low Earth orbit satellites are much closer to Earth than traditional TV satellites. That proximity is what lets an ordinary phone, using the antenna it already has, exchange data with them. The service uses a small slice of Vivo's spectrum in the 2.6 GHz band and the first generation of Starlink's solution for mobile phones.
What works over satellite
In this first version, the focus is on staying in touch and finding your way. You can use:
Messages with text, audio, photos and videos on WhatsApp, SMS, MMS, RCS, iMessage and Google Messages;
Google Maps and Apple Maps;
The Vivo app, to check and change services;
WhatsApp voice calls, with limited speed and quality that may vary, including short interruptions caused by the satellites' movement.
Using these services over satellite does not count against your plan's data allowance or bonus data.
What doesn't work: streaming, video calls, full web browsing and apps outside the list. Regular phone calls, emergency calls and Civil Defense alerts are also not supported. In other words, the satellite connection does not yet replace calling Brazil's emergency numbers, such as 190 (police) or 193 (fire department). High-speed internet depends on Starlink's next generation of satellites, and no date has been announced.
Who can use it and how much it costs
The service is included at no extra cost for a limited time: 12 months for individual customers and 3 months for business customers. For individual customers, the benefit applies to certain offers of:
Postpaid, Vivo Total, Vivo Lite and Tourist Plan;
Vivo Controle plans with a main data allowance of 10 GB or more, with some exceptions;
Prepaid, activated in promotions with a balance of R$ 30 or more.
The quickest way to check whether your plan qualifies is the Vivo app.
The price after the free period and the speeds have not been disclosed yet. The terms may be changed, extended or ended with prior notice to customers.
Will my phone work?
It depends on the model. The service works on Android and iOS. You need a smartphone with 4G or higher, running the latest system version, a 4G/5G SIM card or eSIM, and domestic data roaming turned on. You also need a clear view of the sky: buildings, trees and indoor spaces get in the way of the signal. Some Samsung, Motorola and Apple models have a "satellite mode" that limits heavy activity, such as backups, and saves data in apps like maps and WhatsApp. For other devices, Vivo is working to reproduce that experience.
The Vivo Satélite page has a tool to check compatible models. It also works on the move in open areas, but the signal is weaker inside a car: Vivo recommends keeping the phone close to the dashboard. Use abroad is not available yet, and Vivo will announce the participating countries.
Why this matters to people who work in tech
Beyond being good news for travelers, the launch shows a trend worth watching: mobile and satellite networks working together, seamlessly for the user. For app developers, it's a practical reminder that not every connection is fast and stable. Apps that load the essentials first, send little data over the network and handle weak connections well tend to work better in this kind of scenario.
For businesses, Vivo also offers specific conditions for machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, such as sensors and connected equipment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy a Starlink dish to use Vivo Satélite?
No. The technology connects the smartphone itself to the satellites. You need a compatible device, an eligible plan and a good view of the sky.
Can I watch videos or browse normally over satellite?
Not in this version. The service covers messages, maps, the Vivo app and WhatsApp voice calls. Video, streaming and full browsing are left out.
How much will I pay after the 12 free months?
That's still unknown. After the promotional period, signing up will be optional, but prices have not been disclosed.
Do I need to turn anything on?
The switch to satellite is automatic when the phone loses the terrestrial signal, but domestic data roaming must be turned on and the device's system must be up to date. It's worth confirming eligibility in the Vivo app.
Next steps
If you want to better understand how networks, protocols and applications work together behind a service like this, start with the fundamentals of networking and web and mobile development. On the Hcode course platform you'll find learning paths to study these topics at your own pace.
Sources
Vivo Satélite, Vivo's official page (in Portuguese), accessed on October 26, 2026.
Vivo lança serviço com Starlink para mensagens e chamadas via satélite, TeleSíntese (in Portuguese), October 26, 2026.
Vivo e Starlink lançam conexão via satélite para celulares no Brasil, com acesso grátis por até 12 meses, Hardware.com.br (in Portuguese), October 26, 2026.