Kathmandu. Us businessman Elon Musk’s company, Starlink, has applied for a license to operate satellite-based internet services with the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission. Starlink’s application comes as both the Government of Bangladesh and Starlink are looking to facilitate the rapid entry of satellite-based internet services.
According to Bangladeshi mass media houses, Star Link applied last week. Earlier, on March 29, the US-based satellite internet service provider received approval from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority to start operations in the country.
Bangladesh has become the second South Asian country to bring Starlink’s services. Earlier, Sri Lanka had introduced Starlink’s service last year. The company is also making efforts to expand its services in India and Nepal.
Starlink will now have to obtain final regulatory approval from the Internet regulator to start the service. With this approval, Starlink will become the first company to be licensed under the non-geostationary chamber guidelines implemented on March 25.
The application and processing fee for internet services is rs 500,000, license receipt fee is $10,000 and annual fee is $30,000. In addition, an annual station, terminal fee of US$ 1 per terminal will be charged. However, there will be no charges for terminals used exclusively to provide Internet of Things services.
Licensees will receive a 25 per cent cut in application, processing, acquisition and annual license fees if they connect their gateways through state-owned international internet gateways for bandwidth or partner or joint venture with a Bangladeshi satellite company, The Daily Star reported.
There will be no income sharing obligation for the first two years. Licensed holders will have to share 3 percent of the total income from the third to the fifth year and 5.5 percent from the sixth year.
In addition to licensing, companies such as Starlink must also obtain a separate radio communication equipment license for non-geostationary orbit satellite services in order to obtain the spectrum needed to start their services. In March, the government’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus instructed officials to ensure the commercial launch of Starlink within 90 days.
