Dhaka: Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus today approved US-based Starlink's internet operation in Bangladesh as a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) service provider, his office announced. The press wing of the chief adviser's office confirmed that the Starlink license was approved earlier today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) issued licensing guidelines for NGSO Satellite Services Operators in Bangladesh on March 25, paving the way for Starlink to apply for operational permission. Starlink submitted the necessary fees and documents in line with these guidelines. The commission had initially decided to approve Starlink's operation at its 294th meeting on April 21.
The statement from the chief adviser's office noted that Starlink's entry represents a significant advancement in Bangladesh's internet sector. The statement highlighted that Bangladesh is the second South Asian country, after Sri Lanka, to welcome this global satellite internet service provider.
Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, commented that the demand for Starlink in Bangladesh surged during the July uprising when internet services were repeatedly disrupted by the government led by Sheikh Hasina. Taiyeb emphasized that the approval signifies Bangladesh's shift towards becoming more investment-friendly.
Taiyeb outlined that one of the primary objectives of introducing Starlink is to deliver uninterrupted, high-quality internet services to remote areas, including haor regions, islands, hilly terrains, and coastal zones vulnerable to disasters, where fiber-optic connectivity remains absent.
The chief adviser personally contacted SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, urging him to initiate Starlink operations in Bangladesh within 90 days. Taiyeb mentioned that BIDA, BTRC, the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and the Chief Adviser Office collaborated closely to facilitate this process.
Taiyeb highlighted that Starlink's satellite-based service will provide uninterrupted high-speed internet, unaffected by load shedding, unlike traditional ISPs or mobile networks that experience disruptions during power outages. He noted that around 65 percent of telecom towers still rely on limited microwave links, creating coverage and capacity issues, particularly along highways.
Starlink's entry is expected to address these critical gaps, making Bangladesh's mobile and broadband markets more competitive. "With Starlink's services, we anticipate a new era of deregulation in the communications industry, increased competition, and guaranteed access to uninterrupted, high-speed internet in both urban and rural areas," Taiyeb stated.