What is Starlink?
Starlink, developed by SpaceX under Elon Musk, delivers high-speed, low-latency internet via a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Unlike traditional services relying on cables or towers, Starlink uses a compact satellite dish to connect users directly to its network.
As of April 2025, Starlinkoperates over 7,000 satellites, serving millions across 100+ countries, with plans to expand to 42,000, per Wikipedia - Starlink. It offers download speeds of 50-220 Mbps and latency of 20-40 ms, ideal for streaming, gaming, and video calls, according to CNET - Starlink Internet Review.
Pricing includes a €350-€450 equipment fee for the dish and router, with monthly subscriptions starting at €50 for Residential Lite and €60-€100 for standard plans, based on regional pricing in Croatia and Kosovo, per Al Jazeera Balkans - What is Starlink?.
The Current Internet Landscape in BiH
BiH has seen significant internet growth, with 86.7% of its 3.15 million population—2.73 million people—online as of January 2025, per DataReportal - Digital 2025: BiH. However, a digital divide persists: urban areas like Sarajevo enjoy reliable connections, while rural regions, home to 50.1% of the population, face slow or no access.
The Speedtest Global Index - BiH reports median download speeds of 36.54 Mbps for fixed broadband and 31.19 Mbps for mobile as of March 2025, below the global median of 87.67 Mbps, per TheGlobalEconomy.com - Internet Users. Rural areas often rely on outdated DSL or limited 4G networks.
Major ISPs like BH Telecom, M:tel, and HT Eronet are expanding fiber and wireless networks, but BiH’s mountainous terrain slows progress, per ISP.Page - Internet Access in BiH. The average internet cost is €24/month for a 60 Mbps unlimited plan, per Numbeo - Cost of Living in BiH, cheaper but slower than Starlink .
Starlink’s Planned Launch in BiH
Starlink plans to launch in BiH in 2025, as confirmed by the Ministry of Communications and Transport, reported by SeeNews - Starlink Eyes Bosnia Launch on April 24, 2025. An X post from SarajevoTimeson April 26, 2025, noted, “Starlink Set to Launch in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
However, regulatory hurdles remain. The Regulatory Agency for Communications (RAK) confirmed discussions with Starlink but noted no license application has been filed, per Klix.ba - Will Starlink Arrive in 2025?. Starlink’s coverage map lists BiH for 2025 but notes “service date unknown,” per Sarajevo Times - BiH Risks Lagging in Starlink Coverage.
Neighbors like Croatia and Serbia already have Starlink, highlighting the urgency for BiH to streamline approvals to avoid falling behind.
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