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Bangladesh has granted a license to Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer satellite internet across the country, becoming the second South Asian nation after Sri Lanka to approve the service.
According to the local newspaper, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus approved Starlink’s launch on April 28, following a licensing framework introduced by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in March.
Starlink, which uses low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to deliver fast internet to remote areas, applied for the Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) license earlier this month, submitting the required documents and fees.
The BTRC granted initial approval in April, and full operations are expected to start soon.
A statement from Yunus’ media office said Elon Musk and Muhammad Yunus earlier discussed the launch, highlighting how the service could empower rural youth, women, and underserved communities across Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, Starlink’s rollout is still in progress. Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja said last month that Starlink would begin operating by November 2025.
She told a National Assembly committee that equipment installation would begin soon after the license is granted.
Islamabad granted temporary registration to Starlink in March 2025, marking a major step towards introducing satellite internet access across Pakistan, which hosts one of the largest freelancing communities in the world.
