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Lesotho Grants Starlink 10-Year License; India Partnerships and Bangladesh NGSO Application Advance

15 posts • GPT (4.1)

Updated Apr 16, 2025, 07:12 PM

The Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) has granted Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, a 10-year license to operate in Lesotho. The approval followed a regulatory review process that began with Starlink's application in April 2024, including public consultations and revisions to the licensing framework to accommodate low-earth orbit satellite technology. The license allows Starlink Lesotho (Pty) Ltd to provide satellite internet services across the nation. Lesotho, with a population of 2.3 million and a $2 billion GDP, is seeking to strengthen ties with the United States and address recent trade tariff challenges, including a temporary reduction of US tariffs to 10% for 90 days. The decision has faced objections from local civil society group Section 2, which cited concerns about Starlink's 100% foreign ownership. In India, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met with Starlink executives Vice President Chad Gibbs and Senior Director Ryan Goodnight to discuss Starlink's technology platform, existing partnerships, and future investment plans. Starlink has partnered with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel and is preparing to launch services in India, pending regulatory approvals including a GMPCS license and spectrum allocation. Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that Starlink must fulfill all application requirements, and noted that the government is open to competition in the satellite broadband sector. Starlink has agreed to set up a ground station and network control centre in India. In Bangladesh, Starlink has applied for a license from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to launch satellite-based internet services. The company previously received approval from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority and, if granted, would be the first to receive a license under the country's new non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) policy. Starlink's service is expected to offer speeds up to 150 Mbps, compared to Bangladesh's current maximum of 25 Mbps.

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Sources

moneycontrol.com(3)economictimes.indiatimes.com(2)newsonair.gov.in business-standard.com

S.E. Robinson, Jr.

@SERobinsonJr

STARLINK NEWS: Today, India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met with SpaceX Starlink executives, VP Chad Gibbs and Senior Director Ryan Goodnight, to discuss partnerships. Starlink, partnered with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, aims to provide high-speed internet to remote https://t.co/dmrrwVOnv1

आकाशवाणी समाचार

@AIRNewsHindi

Union Minister Piyush Goyal met the delegation of @Starlink, which included Vice President Chad Gibbs and Senior Director #RyanGoodnight. The discussion discussed #Starlink's state-of-the-art technology platform, their existing partnerships, and future investment plans in India. https://t.co/WtoiW9g9j3