Starlink Set for May Launch in Bangladesh Following High‑Level Talks in Doha

On the sidelines of the Doha Economic Summit on Wednesday, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus met with Lauren Dreyer, Vice‑President for Global Engagement at SpaceX, to finalise plans for rolling out Starlink’s satellite‑based broadband service across Bangladesh.

During the 30‑minute meeting—attended by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman and SDG Secretary Lamia Morshed—Dreyer confirmed that Starlink will “be technically ready for a launch in May, well before the 90‑day deadline set by Bangladeshi regulators.” She added that SpaceX teams have been instructed “to stand by for a full technical rollout, pending a few final clearances.”

Calling it “big news for Bangladesh,” Dr. Yunus said the country would celebrate the service launch, which promises high‑speed internet even in the most remote areas. “People are counting the days,” he noted.

Regulatory Fast‑Track

• Investment licence: Starlink secured approval from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) on 29 March, with a 90‑working‑day window to begin commercial operations.

• Licence application: The company has applied to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for a Non‑Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) licence under the 25 March 2025 policy—the first such application.

• Spectrum fees: NGSO licensees must pay a US $10,000 licence fee, US $30,000 annual fee and US $1 per user terminal per year (IoT terminals are exempt). Revenue‑sharing begins in year three at 3 % of gross revenues, rising to 5.5 % from year six. Generous 25 % fee rebates apply if the licensee partners with a Bangladeshi gateway or satellite operator.

Digital Payment via PayPal

The two sides also discussed letting customers pay for Starlink hardware and monthly service through PayPal, another company in Elon Musk’s portfolio—a move expected to boost digital transactions in Bangladesh.

Background

• A live demo of Starlink speeds was showcased on 9 April at the Bangladesh Investment Summit in Dhaka.

• Several other global satellite providers have expressed interest in Bangladesh, but only Starlink has filed formal papers so far, BTRC chairman Emdadul Bari said.

• In neighbouring Bhutan, Starlink’s residential package costs about 5,800 BDT per month, providing a pricing benchmark for Bangladeshi consumers.

What’s Next

A SpaceX technical team will arrive shortly to finalise gateway integration and spectrum coordination. Once operational, Starlink is expected to accelerate Bangladesh’s Digital Vision goals by delivering reliable connectivity to underserved coastal, riverine and hill districts.

Dr. Yunus concluded, “This partnership will narrow the digital divide and unlock enormous socio‑economic opportunities for our people.”