Bangladesh’s telecommunication regulator, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), has granted a 10-year operating license to Elon Musk’s Starlink, enabling the satellite internet provider to enter the country’s expanding digital market. The licenses—Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit Operator License and Radio Communication Operators License—were formally presented to Starlink Services Bangladesh Limited during a ceremony at BTRC headquarters in Dhaka.
With this approval, Bangladesh becomes the second country in South Asia, after Sri Lanka, to authorize Starlink’s operations. The licenses allow Starlink to import and deploy radio equipment, utilize approved frequency bands, and offer satellite-based high-speed internet services across the nation.
The move received final approval from the transitional government head, Muhammad Yunus, on Monday. Starlink is now preparing a tariff plan, which will be submitted to BTRC for review.
The entry of Starlink is expected to address persistent coverage and capacity issues faced by the country’s mobile networks, particularly in remote areas. Officials anticipate that Starlink’s presence will foster greater competition in the broadband and mobile internet sectors and improve access to reliable, high-speed internet in both urban and rural communities.
In a related development, Yunus held an online meeting with Elon Musk to discuss broader collaboration and confirmed plans for a technical launch of Starlink’s services in May.
