The US-based Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) service provider, Starlink, has officially received its operating license in Bangladesh.
The announcement was made on Monday, through a statement from the office of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who personally approved the license.
According to his Special Assistant, Fayez Ahmad Tayyab, Starlink aims to launch commercial services by June.
Following Sri Lanka, Bangladesh becomes the second country in South Asia to host Starlink’s global satellite internet services. This development is seen as a major milestone in bridging the digital divide across the country's remote and underserved regions.
Speaking about the approval, Fayez Ahmad Tayyab said that bringing Starlink to Bangladesh was a response to public demand, particularly after repeated internet shutdowns during the July uprising against the authoritarian government of Sheikh Hasina. It also sends a strong signal of Bangladesh’s openness to foreign investment, he added.
He elaborated, "Bangladesh faces significant challenges in delivering uninterrupted, quality internet services in haor, baor, island areas, remote hilly regions, and disaster-prone coastal belts. With fiber optic networks absent in many parts, the Chief Adviser personally reached out to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to initiate operations within 90 days. Since then, BIDA, BTRC, the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and the Chief Adviser’s Office have worked closely to expedite the process."
Tayyab highlighted that Starlink’s primary service will provide high-speed, uninterrupted internet access, unaffected by power outages—a common issue faced by existing ISPs and mobile networks in Bangladesh. In contrast to the limited and often low-capacity microwave-based connections serving many mobile towers, Starlink’s satellite network promises far superior reliability and performance.
He also noted that Starlink’s entry will drive healthy competition in the broadband and mobile internet markets, encouraging a transition from traditional voice and data bundle-based services toward a more digital, service-driven ecosystem.
"Starlink's services will initiate deregulation in the communication industry, enhance competition, and ensure seamless, high-speed internet across both urban and rural areas," said Tayyab.
