Bangladesh approves Starlink license to boost internet access

Starlink set to launch in Bangladesh after license approval, promising expanded high-speed coverage across remote and disaster-prone regions

DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh has officially granted a license to Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, marking a significant step toward improving internet connectivity across underserved areas of the country.

According to the Dhaka Tribune, the license was approved Monday by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus following a recommendation from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). The decision was based on new guidelines for Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) satellite operators, issued by the BTRC in March.

Bangladesh becomes the second South Asian country after Sri Lanka to license Starlink’s satellite internet services.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, said Starlink’s entry gained momentum during last year’s political upheaval, when internet shutdowns highlighted the urgent need for resilient, decentralized connectivity.

Taiyeb noted that the chief adviser personally contacted SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, urging him to accelerate Starlink’s deployment in Bangladesh within 90 days. Agencies including BTRC, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) collaborated to expedite the approval.

Officials say Starlink’s satellite services will be crucial for delivering uninterrupted, high-speed internet to remote areas such as the haor wetlands, coastal zones, hilly regions, and isolated islands — places where traditional fiber networks remain sparse or unreliable.

Currently, around 65% of Bangladesh’s telecom towers still lack fiber connectivity and depend on limited-capacity microwave links, Taiyeb said. Frequent power outages also disrupt mobile internet access, a problem Starlink’s satellite system is expected to overcome.

Beyond bridging rural connectivity gaps, Starlink is also expected to intensify competition in the country’s mobile and broadband sectors. Taiyeb suggested that the entry of satellite internet would push the industry away from traditional voice and data bundle models toward a broader digital service ecosystem.

Officials believe Starlink’s arrival could usher in a more deregulated and competitive communications landscape, ensuring greater access to high-speed internet across both urban and rural Bangladesh.