Starlink, the satellite-based internet service from Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has officially launched operations in Bangladesh, marking a new era in the country's digital infrastructure. Offering high-speed, unlimited data via satellite, Starlink aims to bring internet connectivity to remote and underserved regions where traditional fibre networks are unreliable or unavailable.
Consumers in Bangladesh can now choose between two plan options:
“Starlink Residential” at Tk 6,000 per month (approx. INR 4,500)
“Residential Lite” at Tk 4,200 per month (approx. INR 3,150)
Both plans require a one-time installation cost of Tk 47,000 (approx. INR 35,000).
"Starlink Residential" and "Residential Lite" offer unlimited data with speeds of up to 300 Mbps.
Starlink’s rollout in Bangladesh occurred just 90 days after it received regulatory clearance. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) granted Starlink its licence on 29 April, making it the fastest Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) satellite internet licence ever approved in the country.
Each Starlink terminal provides coverage of 20–30 metres, making it sufficient for up to three rooms in multi-storey buildings. This makes it ideal for household or small office setups in both urban and rural locations.
The Bangladesh government is working on a financial support package to enhance accessibility, especially for organizations involved in citizen service delivery. Plans are in motion to facilitate purchase via microcredit schemes, banks, and financial institutions.
"The government is also working on a financial package to make Starlink more accessible to organisations providing citizen services, potentially through microcredit, financial institutions, and banks."
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, Elon Musk's aerospace company. Its primary goal is to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband internet access globally, especially to remote and rural areas where traditional internet infrastructure is unreliable or unavailable.
Here's a breakdown of Starlink:
Constellation: Unlike traditional satellite internet services that use a few large geostationary satellites orbiting at a very high altitude (around 35,786 km), Starlink employs a constellation of thousands of small satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), typically around 550 km.
Low Latency: This much lower orbit significantly reduces the "round trip data time" (latency) between the user and the satellite, making it suitable for activities like online gaming, video calls, and streaming, which are often problematic with traditional satellite internet. Starlink aims for latency between 25 and 60 ms on land.
Global Coverage: Because LEO satellites cover a smaller area, a large constellation is needed to provide continuous global coverage. SpaceX continuously launches batches of these satellites using its reusable Falcon 9 rockets.
Ground Stations and User Terminals:
Ground Stations (Gateways): These stations connect the Starlink satellite network to the internet backbone.
User Terminals (Dishy McFlatface): Customers receive internet service through a "Starlink Dish" (often called "Dishy McFlatface" by users) which is a self-aligning phased-array antenna that connects to the satellites.
High Speed: Starlink typically offers download speeds between 25 and 220 Mbps, with many users experiencing over 100 Mbps. Upload speeds are generally 5 to 20 Mbps.
Low Latency: As mentioned, its low latency is a major advantage over traditional satellite internet.
Global Availability: It aims to provide internet coverage even in the most isolated regions of the world. As of May 2025, Starlink serves over 5 million active customers across 125 countries.
Portability: Starlink offers various service plans, including options for mobility (e.g., for RVs, boats, or even in-flight Wi-Fi for aviation).
Easy Setup: Users can typically set up their Starlink dish with just two steps: plug it in and point it at the sky.
Starlink is fully operational in many parts of the world, including most of the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and parts of South America, Africa, and Asia.
The number of active satellites is continuously growing, with over 7,355 LEO satellites in orbit as of early May 2025.
Regulatory Approval: As of early May 2025, Starlink has received a Letter of Intent (LoI) from the Indian government's Department of Telecommunications (DoT), paving the way for it to offer satellite internet services in India. This comes after nearly three years of the company applying for an operator license.
Conditions: The approval followed Starlink's agreement to comply with India's new national security guidelines, which include requirements for data to remain within Indian borders and for user traffic not to be routed through overseas gateways. Companies must also ensure provisioning of NavIC (India's regional satellite navigation system) based positioning systems on a "best effort basis."
Next Steps: Before launching commercial services, Starlink still needs approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) and spectrum allocation from the government.
Partnerships: Starlink has reportedly signed agreements with major Indian telecom networks like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, which could involve retail partnerships for selling Starlink equipment and supporting customer service.
Pricing: While specific Indian pricing is not yet finalized, global standard Starlink plans typically start at $120 per month (approx. ₹10,200), with hardware costs around $349 (approx. ₹30,000). Reports suggest Indian monthly costs could range from ₹3,000 to ₹7,000 depending on the plan and location.
Target Market: Due to the higher cost compared to traditional broadband, Starlink in India is likely to appeal to businesses, government institutions, and individuals in remote or rural areas where wired broadband is unavailable or unreliable.
5. Competitors: Starlink's primary competitors in the satellite internet space include:
Traditional Geostationary Satellite Providers: HughesNet and Viasat. While widely available, they typically offer slower speeds and much higher latency.
Other LEO Constellations:
OneWeb (now merged with Eutelsat): A significant competitor in the LEO satellite internet market, which has completed its initial constellation.
Amazon's Project Kuiper: Amazon's ambitious LEO satellite internet project, currently in development, aiming to directly compete with Starlink.
Telesat Lightspeed: A Canadian company also developing a LEO constellation for enterprise and government clients.
Starlink represents a significant technological advancement in internet connectivity, particularly for underserved populations and niche applications requiring global coverage. Its entry into the Indian market is a major development for the country's digital infrastructure.
The official launch of Starlink in Bangladesh is a landmark moment in the country’s journey toward digital inclusivity. With unlimited data plans starting at Tk 4,200 per month and speeds reaching up to 300 Mbps, Starlink offers a lifeline to communities where traditional broadband remains out of reach.
The service not only promises connectivity but also empowers businesses, educational institutions, and citizen service providers in rural and underserved regions. Its rapid regulatory clearance in just 90 days reflects the Bangladeshi government’s commitment to digital transformation. Additionally, planned financial packages and microcredit support aim to further democratize access.
Starlink’s presence could prove pivotal in reducing the digital divide and enabling a more connected and empowered society. As satellite internet becomes a viable alternative, the Bangladeshi market is now set to witness a technological leap, placing the country on the map of cutting-edge connectivity solutions.