Starlink Gains Approval to Operate in Bangladesh

The interim government in Bangladesh has officially authorized SpaceX’s Starlink to deliver satellite-based internet services. Starlink uses a network of low Earth orbit satellites to provide internet connectivity to underserved and remote areas.

The Business Standard indicates that Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus sanctioned the license on April 28. This makes Bangladesh the second South Asian nation, following Sri Lanka, to introduce Starlink’s offerings.

In March, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) established guidelines for licensing “Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) Satellite Services Operators in Bangladesh”.

Operating under this framework, Starlink Services Bangladesh submitted its application for the NGSO license early this month, including all essential documentation and payments to secure operational clearance.

Regulatory Steps and Approvals

The BTRC made the decision to grant preliminary approval for Starlink’s operations in April.

Earlier this year, Elon Musk, the tech magnate and SpaceX’s owner, discussed the introduction of Starlink in Bangladesh with Muhammad Yunus.

According to a statement from Yunus’s media office, both parties highlighted that this service would unlock fresh prospects for “Bangladesh’s enterprising youth, rural and vulnerable women, and remote communities.”

Pakistan Awaits Starlink

Meanwhile, Pakistan, which boasts a substantial community of freelance workers, is still awaiting the commencement of Starlink’s operations.

Last month, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja stated that the licensing procedure for Starlink would soon be finalized. She also mentioned that the satellite internet provider aims to inaugurate its services in Pakistan by November 2025.

“After the license is issued, we will begin setting up the required infrastructure, with Starlink expected to be functional in Pakistan starting in November,” Shaza Fatima informed the National Assembly’s standing committee.

In March, Islamabad greenlit the provisional registration of Starlink, paving the path for the introduction of satellite-driven internet services in the country.