In response to these connectivity issues, many Bolivians have turned to Starlink, despite the service being banned since August 2024, as critics argue that the government cannot effectively compete without addressing the connectivity needs of its citizens.

Desperate for reliable internet, some Bolivians have resorted to smuggling Starlink kits from neighboring countries, with estimates suggesting that around 10,000 kits are currently in use across the nation.

Bolivia faces a significant challenge with the slowest internet speeds in Latin America, where only 56% of the population has access to fixed broadband, forcing many to rely on mobile connections provided by the state-owned Entel.

The country's internet infrastructure is heavily dependent on the Chinese satellite Túpac Katari 1, launched in 2013, which primarily serves rural areas and urban centers but fails to meet the growing demand for reliable connectivity.

Starlink users have reported significantly improved internet speeds compared to existing services, prompting some small businesses to choose it over state-provided options for better connectivity.

Amidst these challenges, independent lawmaker Mariela Baldivieso is advocating for the regularization of Starlink, emphasizing the critical need for high-speed internet to drive national development.

The Bolivian government is exploring alternative internet solutions and is in discussions with other satellite companies, including Amazon's Project Kuiper and Telesat, as the Túpac Katari 1 satellite is projected to run out of fuel by 2028.

However, there is currently no indication that the Bolivian government will lift the ban on Starlink, with negotiations between SpaceX and Bolivian authorities stalled due to disagreements over operational oversight.

The urgency of the situation was highlighted when popular streamer Darren Jason Watkins Jr., known as IShowSpeed, experienced internet issues while streaming from Santa Cruz de la Sierra in January 2025, expressing frustration over the poor connectivity.

During his livestream, Watkins Jr. noted that only 73% of Bolivians had internet access in 2022, a figure that lags behind neighboring countries like Brazil and Chile, underscoring the need for improved connectivity.