Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink, is making a strong push to launch its high-speed internet services in Nepal. In a recent meeting at the ministry, Rebecca Slick Hunter, Starlink’s Director, officially expressed the company's keen interest to the Minister for Information and Communications, Dr Bikram Timilsina, stating that the global satellite internet provider is ready to operate in the Nepali market.
However, regulatory and legal hurdles remain a major roadblock. During the discussion, Hunter highlighted that while Starlink is eager to acquire an operating license, existing policy complexities are stalling the process. Specifically, she emphasized that Starlink requires 100% foreign ownership of the license to move forward. To navigate these challenges, Hunter informed the Minister that Starlink is actively holding talks with local Nepali service providers for potential business partnerships and collaborations.
In response, Minister Timilsina assured the delegation that the government would not create obstacles for the company. He clarified that Starlink is welcome to launch its services as long as it complies with the legal frameworks and procedures outlined in Nepal's existing telecommunications policy.
This meeting is part of a long-standing effort by the tech giant to enter the country. Starlink representatives have previously held multiple rounds of talks with top government officials, including former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and regulators at the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). In November 2024, Starlink officials even provided a live demonstration of their technology to the government, which was followed by a virtual meeting between Elon Musk and Oli a month later, where Musk reiterated his personal interest in bringing Starlink to Nepal.
While official approval hangs in limbo, Starlink's technology is already being used illegally within Nepali borders. The NTA has repeatedly issued public notices warning expedition companies against using unauthorized Starlink terminals at high-altitude mountain base camps, emphasizing that operating the service without local registration and regulatory approval remains strictly prohibited.
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