Starlink Satellite Internet Goes Live in Bangladesh; India Launch Likely Soon

After launching operations in Bhutan, Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, has officially gone live in Bangladesh. The announcement came via Musk’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, confirming that Starlink services are now accessible across the entire country. This marks a major development in expanding internet coverage to underserved and hard-to-reach regions.

Boosting Internet Access in Remote Areas

Starlink’s satellite-based broadband solution is engineered to provide high-speed, low-latency internet, especially in rural and geographically challenging locations. Unlike traditional broadband, which depends heavily on terrestrial infrastructure, Starlink’s constellation of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites allows users to stay connected in regions where mobile networks or wired connections are unreliable or absent.

This makes the service a potential game-changer for the digital inclusion of remote villages, islands, hilly terrains, and other infrastructure-deficient areas.

Starlink Pricing and Plans in Bangladesh

Starlink’s residential plan in Bangladesh is priced at 6,000 Bangladeshi Taka per month, which translates to around INR 4,200. Customers are also required to make a one-time hardware purchase for the Starlink Standard Kit, costing 47,000 BDT (INR 33,000). Additionally, a shipping and handling fee of 2,800 BDT (INR 2,000) is applicable, making the total upfront cost approximately INR 37,200.

Despite the initial investment, the offering is expected to attract users in connectivity-starved areas who value stable and fast internet access.

Bhutan Plans: A Comparative Overview

Before entering Bangladesh, Starlink launched in Bhutan, offering two plans:

• Residential Lite Plan: Priced at Nu 3,000/month (approx. INR 3,100), delivering speeds between 23 bps and 100 bps.

• Standard Residential Plan: Costs Nu 4,200/month (approx. INR 4,300), offering improved speeds ranging from 25 bps to 110 bps.

The plan pricing and performance levels in Bhutan indicate that Starlink aims to tailor its services based on the economic context of each country while ensuring core service reliability.

India Launch Likely to Follow Soon

Starlink has been awaiting regulatory approval to launch its services in India for over three years. A major breakthrough occurred recently when the company received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The final green light now hinges on spectrum allocation, which is expected in the coming months.

Once this regulatory hurdle is cleared, India is likely to become the next country to benefit from Starlink’s satellite internet service. The company’s focus will likely remain on connecting rural areas, educational institutions, and remote communities.

Impact on India’s Digital Landscape

With Starlink already operational in neighboring Bhutan and Bangladesh, India's entry into the fold appears imminent. The potential rollout could significantly enhance digital access in Tier-3 cities, villages, and tribal regions, aligning with government initiatives like Digital India.

Starlink’s presence could also create competitive pressure on existing broadband and fiber players to improve rural service quality. Moreover, the education, e-commerce, and telemedicine sectors stand to benefit immensely from reliable internet access in previously disconnected locations.