Last Updated on June 2, 2026
Summary✨
- Starlink seeks a license to operate its internet service in Nepal, facing policy and legal hurdles.
- Communications Minister Timilsina indicates no major obstacles for Starlink’s licensing process, aligned with existing telecommunications policies.
- Starlink needs 100% foreign ownership to launch in Nepal, conflicting with regulations requiring local partnership.
- The anticipated cost of Starlink internet may put it out of reach for average Nepali users, with packages ranging significantly in price.
- Satellite internet could benefit remote areas in Nepal where traditional internet options are limited, enhancing access to services.
Starlink is not available yet in Nepal as of today. A new effort has been made by Starlink to launch its internet service in Nepal. According to sources, the company’s director, Rebecca Hunter, recently met the Communications Minister, Dr. Bikram Timilsina, at the ministry on June 01, 2026.
In the meeting, Hunter reportedly said that the US satellite internet company seeks a license to operate its satellite broadband internet service in Nepal. She emphasized that the objective has been facing issues due to policy and legal complications.
She maintained that Starlink can operate in Nepal only if it owns 100% ownership. However, she also shared that the company is in dialogue with Nepali service providers, possibly some top Nepali ISPs for the commercial launch of its services.
It’s emerged that the Communications Minister Timilsina said that the US company will face no obstacle for its license process in Nepal in accordance with the prevalent telecommunications policy and legal system.
Table of contents
Previous attempts of Starlink in Nepal
Prior to this, Starlink has made various attempts to obtain a license. In 2026, the company’s representatives had presented a demo to the then prime minister KP Sharma Oli, the then Communication Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung, and other high-ranking officials on how its satellite internet works. Elon Musk, the company’s head himself, had a session with the former PM Oli as he pitched Starlink services for Nepal.
The Elon Musk-led company has been trying to launch its satellite internet in Nepal for some years, but faces legal challenges and skepticism. It’s argued that the launch of satellite services can impact the cellular carriers or that its pricey range might affect its acceptance.
So, their electronic meetup has further raised the prospect of SpaceX’s growing chances of launching its service in Nepal.
In the current scenario, Nepal’s 4G coverage has reached over 98% of local levels, but its performance in rural and remote regions could still be under question. Only 56% people use internet in Nepal as per a report. This is where satellite internet can bridge the gap in connectivity and promote digital inclusion.
SpaceX has made protracted efforts before
The company has been in close contact with the regulator, Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA), to speed up its service launch in Nepal. The US company has applied for a license to operate satellite Internet service. But the challenge is that Nepal’s existing law is proving to be a major hurdle for the ambitious brand.
Earlier, Starlink reached out to NTA via a virtual dialogue in which the company’s senior management team asked about the possibility of a hundred percent foreign investment in the project. It’s been reported that the satellite broadband company would enter Nepal only with full ownership. However, the regulation holds that in Nepal, a foreign company needs to allocate a 20% share to a local partner.
So, it could be a major stumbling block for the US company to launch its dedicated satellite internet service in Nepal. The government, though, has expressed its willingness to study the matter. SpaceX has proposed to invest about Rs 6 billion in the satellite internet project in Nepal.
Despite the only 80% investment law being an impediment, there are other conveniences for SpaceX to operate in Nepal. For e.g., Starlink will require only its infrastructure to start its satellite service in Nepal, which mainly includes its already orbiting satellite constellations. It won’t even have to have an office in Nepal. A contact person in Nepal will only be necessary to communicate the essential information.
✅ See the factors affecting 4G Speed in Nepal
Starlink’s availability in map and way ahead
In the company’s coverage map released in 2026, SpaceX listed Nepal on the waiting list with “service date is unknown” as its state. As of now, Starlink Internet is available in over 160 countries, including Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. Whereas India is listed as pending regulatory approval.
But as SpaceX continues to attempt to persuade the government of its plans, private company Kacific has already launched a satellite internet service that is available in select Northern regions of Nepal.
This might interest you: How to Use Emergency SOS via satellite on iPhones? Explained
Expected Starlink Internet price in Nepal
If Starlink does launch its satellite internet in Nepal, the main challenge could be the cost factor. In the US, Starlink Internet comes in Standard, Priority, Mobile, and Mobile Priority packages with a basic speed of 25 – 100 Mbps to 40 – 220 Mbps. And the cost ranges between $120 to $250 – $5,000. In direct conversion, this amounts to Rs 16,229.23 to Rs 676,217 (applying the exchange rate of Kartik 22, 2081). Additionally, there are equipment costs coming in upfront, which add up further in the total installation cost, making it beyond the reach of the average Nepali internet user.
| Starlink Packages | Speed | US Price per month | Expected price in Nepal |
| Standard | 25-100 Mbps | $120 | Rs 16,229.23 |
| Priority | 40-220 Mbps | $140-$500 | Rs 18,892.38 – Rs 67,472.78 |
| Mobile | 5-50 Mbps | $50-$165 | Rs 6,747.28 – Rs 22,266.02 |
| Mobile Priority | 40-220Mbps | $250-$5,000 | Rs 33,736.39 – Rs 674,727.77 |
So, it remains to be seen how SpaceX seeks to structure its internet plans in terms of speed, price, and packages as Bhutan launched Starlink last year at a price of NPR 4800/ month for Lite. India has also cleared the licensing issue of Starlink recently.
Benefits of satellite internet
Satellite internet is ideal in areas where fixed-line fiber internet can’t expand, such as the remote Himalayas and hilly regions in Nepal. Wireless broadband helps connect regular people as well as institutions such as education, health, government offices, etc. Remotely-operated services such as telemedicine can also benefit from satellite broadband.
SpaceX provides satellite internet through its constellation of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites. As of June 2026, there are 10,400 small fast-moving satellites providing satellite broadband service to users on Earth.
Do you want Starlink internet service to launch in Nepal? Will you be willing to grab its subscription if it arrives in the country? Do share your opinion in the comments below.
👉 Not getting good mobile signal? Try these 10 tips for better network
FAQs on Starlink in Nepal
Starlink representatives recently met Nepal’s Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Bikram Timilsina, on June 1, 2026, to discuss obtaining a license to operate satellite internet services in Nepal.
No. Starlink has not yet received an operating license. However, the government has indicated that the company will face no unnecessary obstacles if it complies with Nepal’s telecommunications laws and regulations.
Yes. Starlink has reportedly been in discussions with Nepali service providers regarding the commercial launch of its services.
Nepal’s Telecom act requires foreign telecom companies to have a minimum of 20% share from a Nepali partner. As Starlink only operates with 100% globally, this has made the licensing issue complicated. The requirement of a ground station locally also presents some hurdles.
SpaceX has reportedly proposed investing around Rs 6 billion in Nepal’s satellite internet sector.
The cost of Starlink will range from NPR 6700 to 16,200 for a residential plan with a one-time cost for equipment. They might revise the price for Nepal.
Users need to purchase a Starlink kit, which typically includes a satellite dish (terminal), router, cables, and mounting equipment.
According to the existing regulations, Starlink, being a foreign telecom company, needs to have only up to 80% of ownership with a local owner with 20% share.
Yes, potential users in remote areas could use Starlink (if it becomes affordable) which would affect the usage of Ntc and Ncell.
More Worthy reads:
- NTC’s fiber internet packages
- 2G, 3G, 4G, & 5G mobile network explained simply
- Mobile network portability in Nepal
- 5G network in Nepal
- How mobile network works?
