Elon Musk’s SpaceX-operated Starlink has received the green signal to obtain a license to provide satellite internet services in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has already sent a letter to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications seeking approval.
According to telecom regulations, BTRC must secure ministry approval before issuing a license. BTRC Chairman Md. Emdadul Bari confirmed that the letter was sent last week.
He stated, “We sent the letter seeking preliminary approval last week. Once approval is granted, the license will be issued upon payment of the prescribed fees.”
According to documents, Starlink Services Bangladesh Limited applied for the license on April 7 under BTRC’s Guidelines for Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) Satellite Services Operators.
The company’s registration indicates that its local office is located in a building in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka.
After receiving Starlink’s application, BTRC formed a seven-member committee to review the documents and recommend the license. Subsequently, a two-member BTRC team visited Starlink’s office and also recommended the issuance of the license.
A BTRC official mentioned that this is the fastest recommendation made so far for such a license.
In March, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus instructed the relevant authorities to ensure Starlink’s commercial launch within 90 days.
It is worth noting that Starlink has been attempting to enter the Bangladeshi market since 2021. In April last year, BTRC approved the formation of a committee to draft guidelines for satellite-based internet services. The draft was completed in October 2024, and the final guidelines were issued at the end of March this year.
Earlier, on March 29, the U.S.-based company received approval from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) to start operations in the country.
Currently, Starlink operates more than 6,000 satellites and serves over three million users worldwide. The company is particularly capable of providing high-speed broadband in remote and underserved areas.
Globally, Starlink faces competition from projects like Amazon’s Project Kuiper, OneWeb, and Telesat, all of which are building low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellations.
Starlink’s service prices vary by market. In the United States, a standard residential connection costs about $120 per month. In parts of Africa, subsidized pricing has brought the cost down to $30–$40. However, the initial cost for equipment — including a satellite dish and router — ranges from $200 to $500, which remains a significant barrier for many.
Industry analysts believe Starlink’s success will largely depend on government policies, pricing strategies, and local realities.
If the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications grants final approval, Starlink is expected to begin offering services in Bangladesh within a few months, marking a major milestone in the country’s push toward enhanced digital connectivity.
