Starlink Launches in Bangladesh
Starlink, a company owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has officially launched its satellite internet services in Bangladesh. This development means that Bangladesh becomes the second neighboring country of India, following Bhutan, to utilize Starlink’s technology.
“Starlink’s fast, low-latency internet is now available in Bangladesh,” Musk noted on X.
Bangladesh’s chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, has been leading the country since the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid violent protests last year. He mentioned that this service could remain unaffected by any future political instability.
Previously, the authorities had suspended internet and text messaging services during student protests against Hasina’s administration in July.
“This has provided a reliable alternative for premium customers seeking high-quality, fast internet services,” Yunus shared in a Facebook post.
In February of this year, Yunus had approached Musk to initiate the launch of Starlink services in Bangladesh. He emphasized that integrating Starlink connectivity into the nation’s infrastructure could significantly benefit young people and women. Furthermore, he urged the government to work closely with the SpaceX team to prepare for Starlink’s rollout within the next “90 business days.”
Service Pricing
Yunus Aize Ahmad Taiyeb revealed that monthly packages start at 4,200 taka (approximately $35), which equates to nearly Rs 2,990 per month in Indian Rupees.
Starlink is rapidly expanding globally, currently operating in over 70 countries, and is aiming for further growth in emerging markets, including India, where regulatory approvals for SATCOM services are being finalized.
Meanwhile, the Indian government has initiated the process of assigning spectrum to SATCOM companies, including investments from local firms like Reliance Jio and Airtel. In a related move, Pakistan has also granted a temporary license to Musk’s companies.
Interestingly, while Starlink services have launched in Bangladesh first, both India and Pakistan, which are nuclear neighbors, remain in a state of military and diplomatic tension.
