The United States has intensified efforts to expand Starlink’s satellite internet services across South and Central Asia, with Nepal remaining one of the countries where discussions are still underway due to policy and legal hurdles.
Last week, Samir Paul Kapur, the US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, met representatives of Starlink to receive updates on the company’s operations across the region. Following the meeting, Kapur said Starlink and its parent company SpaceX have significant potential to work with both the US government and private sector to meet the region’s growing connectivity needs.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has given greater priority to the global expansion of Starlink’s broadband internet services. While several South and Central Asian countries have already approved Starlink’s operations, US officials and company representatives are continuing consultations with other governments, including Nepal, urging them to expedite their decisions.
The Government of Nepal, however, maintains that several policy and legal issues must be resolved before Starlink can begin operating in the country.
In June, Starlink’s Global Licensing Director Rebecca Hunter met Minister for Communications and Information Technology Bikram Timalsina to discuss the possible expansion of satellite-based internet services in Nepal.
Earlier, in Nov 2024, SpaceX founder Elon Musk held a virtual meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. During the discussion, Musk sought to bring Starlink to Nepal, while Prime Minister Oli stressed that broader consultations within Nepal were necessary before any decision could be taken. The proposal was later put on hold amid geopolitical considerations.
According to officials at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Nepal’s existing telecommunications law allows a maximum of 80 percent foreign investment in telecom service providers, the same provision under which Ncell operates. Ministry sources say Starlink has been lobbying for amendments that would permit full foreign ownership.
Across the region, Bangladesh became the first South Asian country to launch Starlink services in 2025. Sri Lanka also approved the service the same year, while Pakistan granted the company a temporary no-objection certificate to begin operations.
Globally, Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is now available in more than 125 countries and territories. The network is designed to provide high-speed internet access, particularly in remote and underserved areas, through a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites.
Unlike traditional communications satellites that orbit about 36,000 kilometres above the Earth, Starlink satellites operate at an altitude of around 550 kilometres. This lower orbit enables significantly lower latency and faster internet connectivity. The system currently consists of around 10,000 satellites linked through laser communication, allowing data to be transmitted without requiring a constant direct connection to ground stations.
Starlink has also played a significant role in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in Feb 2022. The satellite network has been used by the Ukrainian military for battlefield communications, drone operations and coordination of unmanned systems. Civilian institutions, including hospitals, emergency services, energy providers and the railway network, have also relied on the service to maintain communications during the conflict.
Despite the company’s global expansion, Starlink has faced regulatory and security scrutiny in some countries. In June, India reportedly suspended final regulatory approvals required for Starlink’s commercial launch after security agencies raised concerns over the reported use of Starlink terminals during the Iran conflict.
As Nepal continues to evaluate the proposal, the government’s decision will likely depend on balancing digital connectivity needs, investment policies, national security considerations and the country’s broader geopolitical interests.
