by 
April 28, 2025
The American Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) satellite service provider, Starlink, has been granted a license to operate in Bangladesh, with approval from Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday, April 28, 2025. The announcement was made through a message from the Chief Adviser’s press wing.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) issued guidelines for NGSO Satellite Services Operators in Bangladesh on March 25, 2025. Following these guidelines, Starlink applied for the NGSO Satellite Services Operator License, submitting the required fees and documents. The decision to issue the license was finalized during the 294th BTRC commission meeting on April 21, 2025.
Starlink’s entry marks a significant addition to Bangladesh’s internet landscape. Following Sri Lanka, Bangladesh becomes the second South Asian nation to welcome this global satellite internet provider. The move is seen as a response to public demand for reliable internet services, particularly after internet shutdowns during the July uprising under the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina.
Fayez Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, highlighted the initiative’s significance. He noted that the Chief Adviser personally reached out to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, urging Starlink to commence operations in Bangladesh within 90 days. This effort involved close coordination among BIDA, BTRC, the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, and the Chief Adviser’s office.
Starlink aims to address connectivity challenges in remote areas, including haor-baor regions, hilly terrains, and disaster-prone coastal zones, where fiber optic networks are unavailable. Taiyeb emphasized that Starlink’s high-speed, uninterrupted internet service will not be affected by load-shedding, unlike traditional ISPs. Additionally, it will mitigate issues faced by mobile networks during extended power outages when tower battery backups fail.
Currently, 65% of Bangladesh’s telecommunication towers lack fiber connectivity and rely on limited-capacity microwave systems. Starlink’s services are expected to bridge these gaps, enhancing internet access in underserved areas and improving highway mobility coverage. The introduction of Starlink will foster competition in the mobile and broadband markets, transitioning traditional voice and data services toward digital service-centric models.
Taiyeb added that Starlink’s entry will initiate deregulation in the communication industry, ensuring seamless, high-quality internet access across urban and rural areas, boosting competition, and improving service reliability.
AI/MR
