Bangladesh’s internet regulator has granted preliminary approval for Starlink to obtain a satellite internet licence, having sent a letter to the telecom ministry last week seeking final authorisation.
Under telecoms law, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is required to secure pre-approval from the ministry before taking major decisions, including the issuance of licences.
According to official documents, Starlink Services Bangladesh Ltd applied for the licence on 7 April under the regulatory framework titled Guidelines for Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) Satellite Services Operators in Bangladesh, issued by the BTRC.
The company has registered its local office in a building located in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka.
Following the application, the BTRC formed a seven-member committee to evaluate the documents submitted by Starlink.
After finding all materials authentic and complete, the committee recommended the company for the licence.
A two-member team from the BTRC subsequently inspected Starlink’s Bangladesh office and also endorsed the licence application.
This has been the swiftest recommendation for such a licence in BTRC’s history, according to an official of the regulator.
The development follows an order issued in March by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, instructing authorities to facilitate Starlink’s commercial launch within 90 days.
Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has been seeking to enter the Bangladesh market since 2021.
In April 2024, the BTRC approved the formation of a committee comprising officials from various divisions to draft the necessary guidelines for satellite-based internet services. The draft was completed in October 2024, and the final guidelines were issued in late March 2025.
Separately, on 29 March, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority granted approval for Starlink to commence operations in the country.
Now, the final hurdle remains securing regulatory approval from the telecom ministry, after which Starlink could commercially launch its services in Bangladesh within a few months.
Globally, Starlink has become a dominant force in the satellite internet industry, operating over 6,000 low-earth-orbit satellites and serving more than three million users.
The sector is becoming increasingly competitive, with rivals such as Amazon’s Project Kuiper, OneWeb and Telesat deploying their own satellite constellations to provide high-speed broadband, particularly in remote and underserved regions.
Starlink’s pricing varies widely across markets. In the United States, a basic residential connection typically costs around $120 per month. In contrast, subsidised rates of $30-$40 have been introduced in parts of Africa and other developing regions to make the service more affordable.
However, the upfront equipment cost – comprising the satellite dish and router – remains a major hurdle, ranging between $200 and $500 depending on local subsidies and taxes.
Industry observers suggest that Starlink’s success in Bangladesh will hinge on its pricing strategy and the regulatory conditions set by the government.
If the telecom ministry grants final approval, Starlink’s arrival could mark a significant leap forward for Bangladesh’s digital connectivity ambitions, especially in areas underserved by traditional broadband infrastructure.
