Satellite Connectivity Enables Scalable Digital Health in Mexico

Satellite internet is becoming a central element in Mexico’s push to expand digital healthcare, as connectivity gaps continue to limit access to medical services for millions of people. Industry executives and analysts say satellite networks could determine whether telemedicine, electronic medical records, and digital diagnostics reach underserved regions.

“The lack of internet access in rural areas is not only a connectivity issue; it directly increases avoidable mortality,” says Eloy Méndez, Regional Director, Hughes, to El Economista. He adds that satellite connectivity enables remote clinics to connect within hours, allowing diagnoses, chronic disease monitoring, and emergency coordination in areas without land infrastructure.

Mexico faces persistent healthcare access challenges driven by geography and infrastructure gaps. Over 50 million people lack adequate access to medical services, according to public estimates, with shortages affecting roughly 66% of the population in Chiapas and 57% of Indigenous communities nationwide. These disparities have historically limited the reach of public health programs and private healthcare services alike.

At the same time, Mexico is part of a broader regional shift toward digital health. Guillaume Corpart, Founder and CEO, Global Health Intelligence, says healthcare in Latin America is undergoing rapid change driven by digitization, AI, and mobile technologies. “What’s interesting about these recent healthtech developments is that this no longer seems to be the case that Latin America is behind the curve,” says Corpart.

Global Health Intelligence estimates that the Latin American digital health market grew about 37.6% in 2024, compared with an estimated 5.5% globally, reaching a value of about US$35 billion. More than half of healthtech startups in the region focus on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, while Mexico and Brazil account for nearly 78% of total activity.

Despite this momentum, executives say the benefits of digital health remain concentrated in urban centers. Regulatory standards for electronic medical records and interoperability exist under Mexico’s NOM-004-SSA3-2012 and NOM-024-SSA3-2012, but industry participants note that these frameworks depend on connectivity to deliver tangible outcomes.

The COVID-19 pandemic did not immediately translate into widespread telemedicine adoption in Mexico, despite expectations, says Aldo Luna, Country Manager, Edrux SA de CV. “You would think a pandemic, when no one was allowed to leave their homes, would be just the kick health systems needed to take digital health and telemedicine seriously, but that was not the case in Mexico,” says Luna. 

Luna says that while teleconsultations have quadrupled since 2018 and digital prescriptions have increased 3.5 times, the sector remains fragmented and lacks a dominant player. According to Luna, telemedicine adoption depends on three conditions: electronic medical records, system integration into existing workflows, and regulatory clarity. “Without reliable infrastructure and connectivity, telemedicine remains a supplementary option rather than a structural solution,” he said.

Satellite internet providers argue that their technology addresses this structural gap. Méndez says that a basic setup using a VSAT antenna, Wi-Fi modem, and connected device can convert a rural room into a functional telemedicine unit. These systems allow real-time consultations, specialist referrals, and the transmission of diagnostic data, including electrocardiograms, even in remote areas.

Such deployments have already been tested through collaborations with nonprofit organizations, enabling consultations in isolated communities. Beyond infrastructure, companies are adapting digital health models to local realities. Méndez says that satellite-enabled telehealth programs increasingly incorporate Indigenous languages and culturally adapted materials. 

Across Latin America, healthtech startups are already applying similar approaches at scale. Corpart points to companies such as Mexico-based Unima, which provides low-cost diagnostics in rural areas, and Colombia’s 1DOC3, which uses AI and messaging platforms to reduce wait times and consultation costs. “When you look at the individual success stories from different countries, the contributions to healthtech throughout Latin America become even clearer,” says Corpart.

Looking ahead, executives say satellite internet could play a decisive role in aligning digital health tools with Mexico’s health sector plans. Once connectivity is established, stakeholders expect broader deployment of electronic clinical records, national health registries, AI-supported diagnostics, and remote training for healthcare workers.

“Telemedicine still represents a significant opportunity in our country,”  says Luna. “But it will only be fully realized when connectivity reaches the communities that need it most.”