Starlink’s Entry into Bangladesh and India: A Game Changer in Satellite Internet
India and Bangladesh are both interested to introduce Elon Musk’s high speed satellite internet service, Starlink, into their nations. Notwithstanding their political disagreements, both governments are working toward the same objective: using satellite based internet services to transform their telecoms industry.
Can the General Public Afford Starlink? Exploring the Cost of Satellite Internet for Everyday Users
There’s still a big question. Will the general public be able to buy Starlink, or will it continue to be a luxury available primarily to the corporate and rich sectors?
With more than 7,000 Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, Starlink is currently the biggest satellite-based internet provider in the world, which is offering high-speed connection. Elon Musk has pledged to replace these satellites with state-of-the-art technology every five years, guaranteeing higher speeds and more dependable connections.
But in the expanding satellite internet market, Starlink is not by itself. In an attempt to provide comparable satellite internet services with possible advantages and difficulties, other major competitors such as OneWeb, Eutelsat, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, Viasat, and HughesNet are also joining the challenges.
Starlink’s Expansion in India
Elon Musk and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Washington D.C. in February 2024 to talk about the launch of Starlink in India. The telecom titans Airtel and Reliance Jio of India soon announced their collaboration with Starlink on the way of providing satellite internet services throughout the country. Tech experts predict that Starlink’s arrival will bring about a radical change in India’s digital ecosystem even though the precise launch date is yet unknown.
Starlink’s Entry into Bangladesh
Interestingly, on the same day that Modi met Musk (February 13, 2024), Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus also had an extensive phone conversation with Elon Musk.
Dr. Yunus formally invited Musk to Bangladesh and requested Starlink’s rapid deployment within 90 days. Since then, a Starlink delegation has visited Bangladesh, finalizing agreements on ground stations and infrastructure. Experts believe that Starlink’s launch in both India and Bangladesh is now only a matter of time. However, given past experiences, last-minute regulatory hurdles cannot be ruled out.
Starlink in South Asia
Notably, Bhutan was the first country in South Asia to introduce Starlink services in December 2024. In February 2025, an official statement was made. Despite being ravaged by conflict, Myanmar is allegedly interested in Starlink as well.
As a sign of the region’s increasing need for satellite-based internet connectivity, India or Bangladesh is anticipated to become the second country in South Asia to receive Starlink access.
What Advantages Does Starlink Offer?
In addition to quicker internet, Starlink’s satellite based technology has a number of other advantages:
- Connectivity in Distant Places Starlink’s satellites connect directly to user terminals, simplifying access in rural and isolated areas in contrast to standard broadband services that depend on subterranean cables and towers.
- No Infrastructure Restrictions: Deployment is quicker and less expensive because fiber optic cables are not required.
Fast Speed and Minimal Latency Perfect for remote work, internet gaming, and video streaming even in distant or disaster-affected places.
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Potential Challenges and Concerns
Despite its benefits, Starlink’s expansion in India and Bangladesh raises several concerns:
1. National Security Risks
India has long questioned the security issues associated with Starlink. Citing national security concerns, the Indian government first rejected Starlink’s commercial license in 2021. When officials in Manipur confiscated Starlink devices from armed militants and drug smugglers in December 2024 then worries increased.
Elon Musk responded by saying that Starlink had nothing to do with it and that its satellites had been turned off above Indian airspace. Recent deals with Jio and Airtel. However, suggest that regulatory issues have now mostly been resolved.
2. Government Surveillance & Internet Freedom
In contrast to India’s security concerns, Bangladesh’s government sees Starlink as a way to protect internet freedom.
Bangladesh’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said that Starlink will ensure that no future government can impose a complete internet shutdown.
This would benefit the BPO sector, freelancers, and call centers preventing major economic losses.
3. Affordability—Will the General Public Benefit?
One of the biggest concerns is pricing. Starlink’s hardware and monthly subscription fees are significantly higher than traditional broadband services.
While corporate businesses and government agencies can afford Starlink, middle-class consumers may find it too expensive.
Obtaining regulatory approvals is the last hurdle.
Both Airtel’s and Jio’s Starlink agreements in India are still pending regulatory approval. The Indian government is expected to greenlight the project soon, provided security concerns are addressed.
Similarly, in Bangladesh regulatory approvals and government partnerships will determine how soon Starlink can begin operations.
A New Era of Connectivity?
Starlink’s potential arrival in Bangladesh and India signals a major shift in digital connectivity. While security concerns, regulatory issues, and pricing remain key challenges, the demand for high speed, global internet access continues to grow.
The biggest question now is: Which country will get Starlink first India or Bangladesh?
