Elon Musk’s SpaceX has expanded its Starlink satellite internet service to Bhutan, marking another milestone in its mission to provide high-speed connectivity to remote and underserved regions. Musk announced the launch via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Starlink is now available in Bhutan!” While the announcement was made this week, the service has been operational in the Himalayan nation since December 2024.
Starlink operates through a constellation of thousands of small satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO), approximately 550 kilometers above the planet. These satellites use laser links to communicate with each other and ground stations, enabling fast and reliable internet access even in areas where traditional broadband infrastructure is lacking.
For Bhutan, a mountainous country with significant challenges in establishing conventional internet networks, Starlink offers a transformative solution. The service is particularly beneficial for remote communities, businesses, and government offices that previously struggled with limited or unreliable connectivity.
Starlink has introduced several subscription plans in Bhutan, catering to different user needs:
- Residential Light Plan: Priced at 3,000 Bhutanese Ngultrum (approximately Rs. 3,100 per month), this plan offers speeds ranging from 23 Mbps to 100 Mbps.
- Standard Residential Plan: For 4,200 Bhutanese Ngultrum (around Rs. 4,300 per month), users can access speeds between 25 Mbps and 110 Mbps with unlimited data.
- Priority Plan: Aimed at businesses and government offices, this plan ranges from 5,900 Bhutanese Ngultrum to 106,000 Bhutanese Ngultrum, providing speeds of 50 Mbps to 220 Mbps and data limits from 40 GB to 6 TB.
While these plans are more expensive compared to traditional broadband services in countries like India, they are a game-changer for regions where terrestrial internet infrastructure is impractical or unavailable.
Satellite internet services like Starlink are particularly valuable in geographically challenging areas. In Bhutan, where rugged terrain makes it difficult to lay fiber-optic cables or set up cell towers, Starlink’s technology bypasses these obstacles by delivering internet directly from space.
However, the high operational costs of satellite internet mean that Starlink’s services remain relatively expensive. In India, for instance, broadband plans priced between Rs. 400 and Rs. 1,000 per month often deliver speeds of 100 to 200 Mbps with unlimited data. Despite the cost, Starlink’s ability to provide connectivity in remote and underserved regions makes it a vital tool for bridging the digital divide.
Bhutan is the latest addition to Starlink’s growing list of service areas. The company has been steadily expanding its reach, with a focus on regions where traditional internet infrastructure is lacking. Starlink’s success in Bhutan could pave the way for further expansion in neighboring countries, including India, where regulatory approvals are still pending.
As Starlink continues to grow, it aims to revolutionize global internet access, bringing high-speed connectivity to even the most isolated corners of the world. For countries like Bhutan, this represents a significant step forward in digital inclusion and economic development.