Kathmandu — The revolutionary satellite-based internet service, Starlink, founded by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is officially set to launch in India and Bhutan. This development comes after two major Indian telecom giants, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, signed an agreement with SpaceX to bring high-speed internet to remote areas of India.

The agreement was finalized just a month after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Elon Musk in Washington, D.C. The partnership aims to bridge the digital divide in rural and inaccessible regions of India through Starlink’s satellite internet service.

Bhutan Joins the Race, But What About Nepal?

In neighboring Bhutan, the Bhutan Infocom and Media Authority (BICMA) has already granted Starlink an official Internet Service Provider (ISP) license, paving the way for its operation.

With India and Bhutan moving forward with Starlink, talks about introducing the service in Nepal have resurfaced. Back in December 2023, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli held an 11-minute video conference with Elon Musk, discussing the potential launch of Starlink in Nepal.

However, no official progress has been made so far, as confirmed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Gajendra Kumar Thakur. He stated that no formal process has been initiated from the government’s side regarding Starlink or any other satellite internet service.

Similarly, the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has also clarified that Starlink must first acquire a license under the existing Telecommunications Act to operate in Nepal. Assistant spokesperson Pradeep Poudel mentioned that if Starlink applies for the license, a feasibility study on satellite internet services will be conducted before granting approval.

Why is Nepal Lagging Behind?

Starlink had initially planned to launch its service in Nepal by 2023. However, due to regulatory challenges and legal restrictions, the process was halted.

Despite this, WorldLink, Nepal’s largest internet service provider, is actively working to bring Starlink to Nepal. WorldLink’s Managing Director Dilip Agrawal has expressed strong interest in collaborating with Starlink to improve internet access in Nepal’s remote and mountainous regions.

What Makes Starlink Unique?

Starlink is a satellite-based internet service operated by SpaceX, which provides high-speed internet through a network of low-Earth orbit satellites. Unlike traditional ISPs that rely on underground fiber cables or mobile towers, Starlink transmits internet signals directly from satellites orbiting the Earth.

This technology is especially beneficial for rural and remote areas where traditional internet infrastructure is difficult and costly to establish.

Will Starlink Enter Nepal Soon?

With the Nepal government’s recent policy focusing on satellite-based internet services, Starlink has shown interest in Nepal once again. Starlink representatives have already met with former PM KP Oli and the Minister of Communication and IT, Prithvi Subba Gurung, to discuss the possibility of launching the service in Nepal’s rural areas.

If Nepal successfully overcomes the legal and regulatory barriers, Starlink could be a game-changer for improving internet access in remote Himalayan regions and rural villages.

For now, the future of Starlink in Nepal remains uncertain, while India and Bhutan are already preparing for a digital transformation through satellite-based internet.