SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service has officially launched in Bhutan, marking a significant milestone for the country’s connectivity. The announcement was made on February 11, 2025, with Bhutan joining a growing list of nations where Starlink is now available, including Australia, the United States, Canada, Mongolia, and several European countries. While Starlink’s entry into Bhutan brings the promise of high-speed internet access to remote areas, the service’s launch in India remains pending due to regulatory hurdles.
Despite the delay, users in India can still download the Starlink app in anticipation of the service’s eventual arrival. Starlink’s expansion has not been without controversy. In late 2024, satellite internet equipment from the company was seized in Manipur’s Imphal East district, raising concerns about the potential for illegal access by militants.
Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX, confirmed that satellite beams over India were subsequently turned off to prevent unauthorized use. As Starlink continues to grow its global presence, the company has introduced two primary plans in Bhutan. The Residential Lite Plan, priced at Nu 3,000 (approximately Rs 3,001) per month, offers speeds ranging from 23 Mbps to 100 Mbps.
The Standard Residential Plan, priced at Nu 4,200 (around Rs 4,201) per month, provides speeds between 25 Mbps and 110 Mbps with unlimited data usage.
Starlink arrives amidst regulatory hurdles
Starlink’s satellite-based internet service relies on a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, with SpaceX operating around 7,000 LEO satellites as of January 2024.
Users require specialized hardware, including a dish and a router, which can be installed at homes, businesses, or even in moving vehicles with the appropriate equipment. The arrival of Starlink in Bhutan has not been without challenges. The Bhutan Information, Communication and Media Authority (BICMA) granted Starlink a license to operate, contingent upon the company registering as a foreign direct investment (FDI) entity, appointing local representatives, and ensuring service quality and data privacy.
Additionally, BICMA has directed Starlink to enable payments in the local currency, Ngultrum, which has delayed the commercial launch until the integration of local payment systems is complete. Starlink’s entry has also sparked concerns among local internet service providers, such as TashiCell, which faces increased competition in terms of pricing and service quality. TashiCell is working to expand its 4G and 5G networks and increase its fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) infrastructure to remain competitive.
However, the company has expressed concerns about the potential impact of foreign-owned satellite networks on national data sovereignty and the long-term stability of Bhutan’s telecom sector. Despite these concerns, TashiCell sees potential areas for collaboration with Starlink, such as using the satellite service to backhaul mobile base stations and exploring direct-to-device communication in areas lacking terrestrial network coverage. As Starlink continues to expand globally, with over 100 countries now having access to its services, the impact of this new player in the telecommunications market remains to be seen.
While the promise of high-speed internet in underserved regions is compelling, the long-term effects on local telecom industries and national sovereignty will likely be the subject of ongoing debate.
