Dhaka: Several Bangladeshi firms have partnered with Starlink to support the setup of ground earth stations in Bangladesh. The firms have signed contracts with Starlink for collaboration, as a US telecommunications service provider team is currently visiting Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the collaboration includes space allocation, construction support, and ongoing infrastructure maintenance, as stated in a press release issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing. The visit of the Starlink team helped Bangladeshi firms identify a few locations of interest. At some places, firms are providing support using their own properties, while at other locations Starlink is considering the Hitech Park property.
Discussions on locations and implementation details are ongoing, said Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser. Taiyeb expressed hope that Starlink would ensure reliable and high-speed internet in Bangladesh’s cities and remote areas, northern regions, or coasts, free from the hassle of load shedding or natural disasters.
Starlink aims to provide uninterrupted and high-quality services. Given the limited coverage of telecom-grade fibre networks in Bangladesh and persistent load shedding issues in remote areas, Starlink is expected to accelerate daily activities and digital economic initiatives for entrepreneurs, freelancers, NGOs, and SME businesspeople in the country.
“We will continue to try to implement a sensible model with Starlink in the next 90 days,” Taiyeb added. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus had previously invited Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, to visit Bangladesh and launch the Starlink satellite service. Prof Yunus highlighted the benefits for young Bangladeshis, who would be among the main beneficiaries of this technology.
Prof Yunus asked his High Representative Dr. Khalilur Rahman to coordinate closely with the SpaceX team to ensure the completion of necessary work for Starlink’s launch in Bangladesh within the next ninety working days. On February 13, the Chief Adviser engaged in an extensive telephonic discussion with Musk to explore future collaboration and further progress the introduction of Starlink satellite internet service in Bangladesh.