Staff Reporter :
SpaceX, the US-based aerospace company, has officially launched its satellite internet service, Starlink, in Bangladesh, promising uninterrupted connectivity across the country.
The new service aims to extend digital access to remote areas, including hilly regions, river islands (chars), and broadband-deprived border zones.
The launch was announced at a press conference on Friday, where Fayez Ahmed Tayyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, highlighted the significance of the service.
A high-level delegation from Starlink, led by Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Business Operations, and Richard Griffiths, Director of International Strategy and Government Relations, attended the event.
Under the guidance of Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, Starlink has commenced operations in Bangladesh. Tayyeb emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring continuous internet service, recalling last year’s nationwide internet shutdown on 17 July during widespread unrest.
“On the anniversary of that shutdown, I pledge that internet service will not be stopped again,” he said, adding that amendments to the Telecommunication Act are underway to prevent future disruptions.
Reflecting on the launch, Tayyeb described Starlink as a revolutionary advancement in the nation’s digital infrastructure, with a focus on extending coverage to vulnerable flood-prone coastal areas.
Lauren Dreyer praised the technology’s resilience, stating, “High-speed internet is no longer a dream – it is now a reality. Starlink serves as a vital communication bridge during cyclones and other natural disasters.”
Dreyer also highlighted the service’s potential beyond connectivity, citing benefits for telemedicine, distance education, e-commerce, and digital healthcare, all underpinned by reliable internet access.
During her visit, Dreyer met with Chief Adviser Prof Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna, where she commended the interim government’s effective coordination and efficiency.
“We operate in 150 countries and territories and have rarely seen such decisiveness,” she remarked, expressing eagerness for ongoing collaboration.
Prof Yunus underlined the urgent need to improve internet connectivity in remote areas, particularly the hill tracts, which lack adequate schools, teachers, and medical professionals.
“We aim to introduce online education in 100 schools, and this service will greatly benefit students in isolated communities,” he said.
Highlighting healthcare priorities, he added, “Digital healthcare is crucial so that people in remote areas can consult doctors online and have their medical records stored digitally.”
Also present at the meeting were Richard Griffiths of SpaceX, Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Faiz Ahmad Tayyeb, Special Assistant for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of BIDA and BEZA.
Following nearly three months of trial broadcasts, Starlink’s official launch came after the company secured a ‘Satellite Operator License’ and a ‘Radio Communication Apparatus License’ from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), both valid for 10 years.
To access the service, customers must purchase a setup kit priced at Tk 42,000, which includes a satellite dish, router, power supply, and necessary equipment. Users can then choose between two subscription packages: the Residential plan at Tk 6,000 per month, offering unlimited internet with speeds up to 300 Mbps, and the Lite plan at Tk 4,200 per month, providing continuous service at a lower cost.
