SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service has officially launched in Tajikistan, expanding broadband access to one of Central Asia’s most geographically challenging and digitally underserved markets. The rollout follows a licensing agreement signed in October 2025 between Starlink Tajikistan and the country’s Communications Service during the Dushanbe Invest-2025 Forum.
The service is primarily aimed at connecting remote mountainous and border regions where traditional fibre and mobile infrastructure remain difficult and costly to deploy. Operating through low-Earth orbit satellites, Starlink delivers lower latency and higher speeds than conventional satellite internet, requiring only a user terminal and modem to provide connectivity in areas with limited terrestrial coverage.
Internet access in Tajikistan remains constrained by geography and infrastructure limitations. Only 41.6 percent of the population currently uses the internet, with connectivity largely concentrated in urban centres. Mobile speeds average below 10 Mbps, and fixed broadband penetration remains extremely limited, highlighting the potential impact of satellite-based connectivity for schools, hospitals, and rural institutions.
Under the current agreement, initial deployments will prioritise government and social institutions, with commercial arrangements managed through state-owned Tajiktelecom. Authorities say this approach ensures oversight of pricing, bandwidth allocation, and service quality, although concerns remain regarding affordability and state control over internet access.
Starlink’s expansion into Tajikistan forms part of its broader push across Central Asia, where challenging terrain and limited infrastructure have slowed broadband development. The service is already operational in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, with further regional expansion planned.
