Elon Musk's Starlink Secures License to Operate in Bangladesh

Elon Musk's satellite internet company, Starlink, has received commercial approval to operate in Bangladesh. The license was approved by the nation's telecom regulator on March 28, opening the door for a nationwide rollout of satellite-based internet services.

A Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) license is currently pending for Starlink and should be granted soon. After the permit is granted, the business will be able to formally begin offering its services across Bangladesh, becoming one of the first in South Asia to join SpaceX's internet network.

The timing is noticeable. Starlink is currently powering the livestream of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 in Dhaka, which started on April 7. The four-day event attracted over 550 investors from 50 countries and is regarded as an important platform for attracting global capital and partnerships.

The decision to grant Starlink a licence is seen as part of Bangladesh's larger effort to modernise its digital infrastructure. The government hopes to improve connectivity and support services such as education, healthcare, and governance by making satellite broadband accessible, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

Growing trade tensions with the United States coincide with the approval. One of Bangladesh's most significant industries is facing difficulties as a result of recent US authorities raising tariffs on Bangladeshi cotton exports from 16% to 37%. The tariff hike is anticipated to be enacted while President Donald Trump is still in Dhaka, where Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus is currently leading the interim administration.

Positioning Bangladesh as a competitive, tech-forward investment destination is still a top priority as the summit goes on, and Starlink's entry seems to be a big step in that direction.