Starlink Granted Final Authorization for Launch in Bangladesh
In a significant move, SpaceX's Starlink is actively establishing local ground infrastructure in Bangladesh, with a clear timeline and requirements driven by partnerships and regulatory approvals. The decision to bring Starlink to Bangladesh was made in response to public demand, particularly after repeated internet shutdowns.
The Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) signed a deal in July 2025 to resell Starlink services, investing approximately $2.5 million to procure Starlink terminals and data packages to serve corporate clients. The first Starlink ground station is under construction at Hi-Tech City in Kaliakair, Gazipur, with plans for additional stations in Jashore and Cox's Bazar.
Regarding regulatory permissions, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) granted Starlink a 90-day waiver to operate without a local gateway, which is set to expire in early August 2025. This implies a requirement for Starlink to establish local ground infrastructure—including ground stations to comply with licensing regulations—by that time or shortly after to continue operations legally.
Starlink's ground stations in Bangladesh will host servers at Felicity IDC Limited, a Tier III data center located within the Kaliakair Hi-Tech Park. Starlink has also partnered with companies like Fibre@Home to facilitate the development and operation of this infrastructure.
The setup of local ground infrastructure for Starlink's full commercial operations is in accordance with Bangladeshi telecommunications policy. The introduction of Starlink in Bangladesh is a direct response to public demand, particularly after internet shutdowns during the July 2024 uprising.
Starlink's satellite internet service is expected to launch in Bangladesh in May. The local ground infrastructure setup includes the establishment of broadband gateways and Internet Exchange Points (IXPs). The decision to grant a license to Starlink in Bangladesh was made by the Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, and SpaceX's Vice President for Global Engagement, Lauren Dreyer, confirmed that the technical team is preparing for the launch.
Bangladesh is the second country in South Asia to approve Starlink's services, following Sri Lanka. The setup of local ground infrastructure marks a significant step towards bridging the digital divide in Bangladesh, providing high-speed internet connectivity to remote areas and enhancing the country's digital infrastructure.
As of the latest updates in August 2025, no specific detailed public timeline for the complete rollout is available beyond these markers, but the construction of ground stations and regulatory steps indicate a near-term (mid to late 2025) establishment of local infrastructure necessary for sustained Starlink service in Bangladesh. The broader Starlink satellite upgrades scheduled for 2026 in third-generation satellites, which will improve bandwidth and latency, will likely complement the ground infrastructure but do not alter the immediate ground station requirements in Bangladesh.
Sources:
[1] The Daily Star, "Starlink to establish local infrastructure in Bangladesh", July 2025. [2] The Financial Express, "Starlink granted license to operate in Bangladesh", August 2025. [3] The Bangladesh Post, "Starlink begins ground station construction in Bangladesh", July 2025. [4] The Telegraph India, "Starlink set for May launch in Bangladesh", August 2025.
The Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) is investing in Starlink's technology to resell its services, constructing ground stations and partnering with other companies to establish local infrastructure, following the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission's (BTRC) regulatory approvals. This move, in response to public demand for reliable internet services, particularly during times of internet shutdowns, is a significant step towards bridging the digital divide in Bangladesh, advancing science and space-and-astronomy as more remote areas gain high-speed internet connectivity.
