Bangladesh's internet regulator has given the green light for Starlink to obtain a satellite internet licence, sending a letter to the telecom ministry last week for final approval.

As per telecom law, it is mandatory for the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to obtain pre-approval from the ministry before taking key decisions, including granting licences.

"We already sent a letter to the ministry for pre-approval last week," said BTRC Chairman Md Emdad ul Bari.

"Once it is granted, we will issue the licence upon payment of the required fees," he told The Daily Star yesterday.

According to the document, Starlink Services Bangladesh Ltd applied for the licence on April 7 under the regulatory framework titled "Guidelines for Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) Satellite Services Operators in Bangladesh" issued by the BTRC.

The company's registration states that its local office is in a building in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka.

After receiving the application from Starlink, the BTRC formed a seven-member committee to evaluate it. The committee found all the documents authentic and proper, and recommended Starlink for the licence.

This is the swiftest recommendation from the BTRC for any such licence, according to an official of the regulator

Later, a two-member committee of the BTRC also visited Starlink's Bangladesh office and recommended in favour of granting the licence.

This is the swiftest recommendation from the BTRC for any such licence, according to a BTRC official.

The development comes as Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in March this year directed the authorities to ensure Starlink's commercial launch within 90 days.

Starlink has been trying to enter the Bangladesh market since 2021.

In April last year, the BTRC approved the formation of a committee comprising officials from various divisions to draft guidelines for satellite-based internet services.

The draft was prepared in October 2024, and the final guideline was issued in late March this year.

Earlier, on March 29, the US-based satellite internet service provider received approval from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority to begin operations in the country.

Now, the final hurdle for Starlink will be securing regulatory approval from the telecom ministry before launching its services commercially.

Globally, Starlink, operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, is a major player in the satellite internet industry, which has become increasingly competitive.

Companies like Amazon's Project Kuiper, OneWeb, and Telesat are also deploying constellations of low-earth-orbit satellites to offer high-speed broadband, especially in remote and underserved areas.

Starlink currently operates over 6,000 satellites and serves more than three million users worldwide. The service is seen as a potential game-changer in regions where traditional fibre-optic or mobile broadband is either unavailable or unreliable.

The pricing for Starlink services varies greatly across markets.

In the US, a basic residential connection typically costs around $120 per month, while in some developing countries, including parts of Africa, Starlink has introduced subsidised rates as low as $30-$40 per month to make the service affordable.

However, the initial equipment cost, which includes the satellite dish and router, often remains a major barrier, with prices ranging between $200 and $500 depending on local subsidies and taxes.

Industry insiders believe Starlink's success will largely depend on its final pricing strategy and government regulatory conditions.

If approved by the telecom ministry, Starlink could begin offering services in Bangladesh within a few months, marking a significant milestone in the country's digital connectivity ambitions.