Spanish authorities conducted an internet search with one telecom operator during a blackout
During the catastrophic power outage that hit Spain and Portugal on April 28, 2025, SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet system proved to be a lifeline, keeping thousands of users connected when traditional networks crumbled.
This massive blackout, Remember, was one of the most severe the Iberian Peninsula had seen in recent history, leaving airports, banks, shops, and mobile networks in chaos. The power loss—reaching over 10 GW—disrupted electric power and telecom infrastructure on a large scale [1].
As conventional networks went haywire due to power failures and Traffic congestion, Starlink saw a spike in demand. Specifically, Starlink's usage skyrocketed by about 35% across the Iberian Peninsula during the blackout, with thousands of users turning to the satellite internet service for emergency connectivity [1].
In the face of mobile antennae failures and overwhelmed telecom infrastructure, Starlink stepped up as a critical backup, ensuring people had access to the internet when they needed it most [1].
Although the exact number of Starlink customers who used the service during the blackout isn't provided by the sources, references to "thousands of customers" and a 35% surge in utilization show a significant uptick in user activity in this crisis scenario [1].
It's worth mentioning that while Elon Musk founded SpaceX in 2002, the company only launched the first satellites for the Starlink system in 2019. This innovative technology provides high-speed internet access from virtually anywhere in the world with minimal latency, currently available in the US, Canada, Australia, and most European countries [2].
Acknowledge Starlink's critical role during the blackout doesn't mean it'll be the go-to solution for similar situations in the future. With mobile devices requiring sufficient battery charge for access, the system might struggle to support millions of users in similar emergencies [3].
However, as we continue to push the boundaries of technology, it's becoming increasingly clear that reliable solutions like Starlink are essential to mitigating the impact of large-scale power outages and maintaining vital communication lines. [2][3][4]
[1] Financial Times, April 28, 2025[2] rbc.group[3] rbc.group[4] Enrichment Data from Sources not explicitly mentioned in the Input.
SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet system, an innovative technology that provides high-speed access from many locations worldwide, was a critical backup during the massive blackout that hit Spain and Portugal in 2025. As mobile networks and traditional networks faltered, Starlink witnessed a 35% surge in demand, keeping thousands of users connected when other options failed.
