Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service has been launched in Bhutan. The head of SpaceX recently confirmed this on the X platform (formerly Twitter). Starlink stated that they are working to expand their internet services across land, air, and sea.
On February 11, Elon Musk announced in a post on X that Starlink is now available in Bhutan. On the same day, Starlink’s service availability map was updated, confirming that users in Bhutan can now access this service. In addition to Bhutan, Starlink is also operational in the United States, Australia, Canada, Mongolia, and several European countries.
According to Indian news outlet The Hindu, regulatory approval is still needed to start Starlink operations in India. Meanwhile, the launch date in Myanmar remains uncertain. However, there is a possibility that Starlink internet service will be available in Bangladesh later this year.
What Services is Starlink Offering in Bhutan?
SpaceX's satellite-based internet service connects users through special ground terminals. However, it cannot be directly used on mobile phones, although iPhone users in certain countries are receiving satellite-based connectivity.
According to a report by News18, Starlink has announced its pricing plans in Bhutan. The country's information department stated that the "Residential Light" plan will cost 3,000 Ngultrum per month (about 4,000 BDT), offering internet speeds ranging from 23 Mbps to 100 Mbps.
Meanwhile, the "Standard Residential" plan will cost 4,200 Ngultrum per month (about 5,500 BDT), providing internet speeds from 25 Mbps to 110 Mbps with unlimited data usage.
Starlink’s satellite-based internet service is expected to remain more expensive compared to local telecom operators, possibly for the next few years.
