Starlink has officially begun its trial internet services in Bangladesh, marking a significant step towards providing high-speed satellite internet across the country.
On Wednesday morning, Starlink’s internet service was launched experimentally at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dhaka. The service rollout follows the investment registration granted by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) on March 29, allowing Starlink to begin operations within 90 working days. However, to launch commercially, Starlink must secure an NGSO license from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), a process that has already been approved.
BIDA’s Executive Chairman, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud, stated that the company had been permitted to operate within the 90-day window, and the technology had been positively evaluated.
The testing of Starlink technology in Bangladesh began in July 2023, with the process gaining momentum after the current interim government took office. A significant video call with Elon Musk in February 2024 between Professor Muhammad Yunus and Starlink’s leadership further accelerated the project. Additional testing has been conducted in Dhaka in recent weeks.
Technology analysts predict that the trial launch will mark the beginning of a new era in Bangladesh, as Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, provides satellite-based high-speed internet across numerous countries worldwide. Once fully operational, the service will enable high-speed internet access in remote areas and reduce the digital divide between cities and rural regions. Starlink will also play a critical role in ensuring emergency communication during natural disasters.
Notably, Starlink’s commercial service has already been launched in Bhutan, marking its first rollout in South Asia.
LND/BG
