BTRC Hands Over Licenses to Starlink

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has granted licenses to Starlink, in a major step toward expanding satellite-based internet services in Bangladesh.

The telecom regulator on Tuesday (29 April) handed over the licenses to the representative of Starlink, a satellite internet service owned by SpaceX, which is a company founded and led by Elon Musk, following the approval of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday.

Starlink specializes in providing high-speed internet via non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) technology. BTRC issued two licenses in favour of Starlink, including the “Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit Operator License” and the “Radio Communication Apparatus License”, according to a media release issued by the telecom regulator.

The Licensing Division of BTRC handed over the first license, enabling Starlink to commence its commercial operations within Bangladesh. The second license, issued by the Spectrum Division, allows the company to use approved frequency bands and import as well as operate radio communication equipment necessary for delivering satellite internet services.

Lt Col Syed Md. Tawfiqul Islam, Director of BTRC Licensing Division, officially handed over the NGSO Operator License to Rebecca Slick Hunter, Director of Global Licensing and Market Aviation at Starlink. Ashish Kumar Kundu, Director General of the Legal and Licensing Division, and Deputy Director Md. Nahidul Hasan were present.

Later, the Radio Communication Apparatus License was presented by Dr. Md. Sohel Rana, Director of the Spectrum Division, to Rebecca Slick Hunter.

Brig Gen Md Aminul Haque, Director General of Spectrum Division, and Senior Assistant Director Muhammad Zakaria Bhuiyan were present during the handover.

The licenses have been granted for a period of ten years, marking a significant milestone in the digital connectivity landscape of Bangladesh.