Dhaka: The government has granted Banglalink permission to conduct a trial of satellite-based Direct-to-Cell (D2C) mobile service in areas without conventional cellular network coverage, marking Bangladesh’s entry into the emerging global satellite-to-mobile connectivity landscape.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the approval was given by the Posts and Telecommunications Division following a proposal from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), as stated in an official order on May 12.
The order specifies that the permission is for a two-month Proof of Concept (PoC) operation effective from the approval date. The experimental service will be conducted by Banglalink in collaboration with Starlink, the satellite internet network operated by US-based SpaceX, under a non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) framework aimed at extending mobile connectivity to underserved and remote areas.
Confirming the permission, Banglalink Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer Taimur Rahman stated that the Starlink-backed testing would continue throughout June. “Banglalink is set to D2C connectivity for the first time in Bangladesh to help reduce coverage gaps in hard-to-reach areas, including hill tracts, chars, coastal islands, and offshore waters,” he said. He added that by complementing their nationwide network with satellite connectivity, they aim to strengthen communication for underserved communities and support connectivity during emergencies and natural disasters.
Once commercially launched, the service is expected to provide coverage across Bangladesh, including up to 22 nautical miles into the Bay of Bengal, aiding deep-sea fishermen in staying connected beyond coastal cellular coverage areas. Initially, the service will support OTT-based messaging services through satellite connectivity, Rahman revealed.
According to the government order, the approval is solely for experimental service and does not guarantee any future commercial operation. BTRC is tasked with submitting a detailed report to the Posts and Telecommunications Division within three months, reviewing all technical, operational, and regulatory aspects of the trial.
During the PoC period, BTRC will ensure online and offline monitoring facilities, including oversight of traffic, signalling, authentication, and spectrum usage by collecting necessary information from Banglalink. The order specifies that the D2C facility will remain a supplementary service under Banglalink’s mobile operator framework during the trial period, with all operational liabilities resting with the operator under BTRC supervision.
As part of the temporary arrangement, spectrum allocated to Banglalink in the 1920-1925 MHz and 2110-2115 MHz bands will be allowed for limited use in Starlink’s network during the PoC period, on special consideration. The order clarifies that the approval will not set any precedent regarding spectrum ownership, transfer, or sharing in the future and will automatically expire after the trial.
A temporary PLMN code will also be assigned to Banglalink for limited use during the PoC period, which will automatically stand cancelled after the trial ends. The service must remain fully compliant with the country’s lawful interception framework and ensure the technical capability to provide information sought by law enforcement agencies.
Before launching the PoC service, a detailed agreement between Banglalink and Starlink must be submitted to BTRC for approval. The D2C service will operate only in locations lacking terrestrial cellular mobile network coverage, with customers automatically reconnecting to conventional cellular networks once standard coverage becomes available. All necessary conditions related to national network structure, interconnection, and national security will remain applicable during the trial period under close BTRC supervision.
The Bangladesh initiative comes amid growing global momentum in satellite-to-mobile or Direct-to-Cell technology as telecom operators and satellite companies increasingly seek to extend connectivity to remote, maritime, disaster-prone, and geographically challenging areas where terrestrial telecom infrastructure is limited. Globally, Starlink and telecom operators in countries like the United States, Canada, Ukraine, Australia, and New Zealand are conducting pilot projects and strategic partnerships involving satellite-enabled mobile communication services for emergency communication, remote-area connectivity, and maritime coverage.
Bangladesh is set to become the third VEON market to introduce the technology after Ukraine and Kazakhstan. VEON noted that more than five million unique users in Ukraine have connected to Starlink Mobile satellites since the service rollout there in November 2025, while Kazakhstan conducted successful testing in December 2025, including Central Asia’s first WhatsApp call using Starlink satellite connectivity.
Industry analysts suggest that the technology is emerging as a complementary layer to traditional terrestrial telecom networks rather than a replacement, particularly for underserved and hard-to-reach regions. Bangladesh’s move is also considered significant for coastal connectivity and disaster resilience due to the country’s large coastal belt and reliance on maritime activities in the Bay of Bengal.