The primary motivation behind inviting and introducing Elon Musk’s Starlink in Bangladesh is to put a definitive end to internet shutdowns, according to the interim government.
Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, made this statement in a Facebook post on Tuesday (25 February).
He highlighted that during Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year rule, the government frequently resorted to internet blackouts to suppress dissent and quell major protests. He described internet shutdowns as a favoured instrument of autocratic regimes, often used to stifle opposition.
However, he pointed out that such measures had devastating consequences for freelancers, many of whom lost contracts and jobs permanently.
"The arrival of Starlink in Bangladesh signifies that no future government will have the ability to impose a complete internet blackout," Shafiqul Alam stated.
"At the very least, any attempt to do so will not affect BPO firms, call centres, or freelancers."
Elon Musk invited to Bangladesh
Starlink, a satellite-based high-speed internet service, is owned by Elon Musk, one of the world’s leading tech entrepreneurs and an advisor to former US President Donald Trump.
On 13 February, Professor Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the interim government, held a video conference with Musk.
Their discussion explored potential areas of future cooperation, with particular emphasis on launching Starlink services in Bangladesh.
During the meeting, Yunus underscored the significance of this initiative for national development and formally invited Musk to visit Bangladesh.
Musk responded positively, stating, “I look forward to it.”
According to a report by Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), industry experts believe Starlink’s entry will provide seamless high-speed internet access in remote areas, bridging the urban-rural digital divide.
This would enable young professionals to engage in freelancing and other internet-based jobs from villages, while also playing a crucial role in restoring communication networks after disasters.
What is Starlink?
Bangladesh currently relies on submarine cable-based internet, where bandwidth is transmitted via undersea fibre-optic cables to mobile network operators and internet service providers (ISPs).
Starlink, in contrast, delivers internet services through a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
According to SpaceX, Starlink operates using thousands of satellites orbiting at approximately 550 km above the Earth, providing global high-speed internet connectivity.
As of 30 January this year, Starlink has launched 6,994 satellites, offering services in over 100 countries.
In South Asia, Bhutan was the first to implement Starlink.
How Starlink works
To access Starlink’s internet service, users must install a satellite receiver resembling a television antenna.
This device connects to Starlink’s orbiting satellites and transmits the signal to a router, enabling high-speed internet connectivity.
Starlink’s download speeds range between 25 and 220 Mbps, with most users experiencing speeds exceeding 100 Mbps.
Upload speeds typically fall between 5 and 20 Mbps.
According to Ookla, a global internet speed analytics firm, Bangladesh’s average mobile internet download speed was slightly below 40 Mbps as of January, with an upload speed of approximately 13 Mbps.
Broadband services offered an average download speed of 51 Mbps and an upload speed of 49 Mbps, though speeds in rural areas were often significantly lower.
Cost of Starlink in Bangladesh
Starlink’s official website states that residential users must purchase a Starlink kit, which includes a receiver, stand, router, cables, and a power supply.
The kit is priced between $349 and $599 (Tk43,000 to 74,000).
The minimum monthly subscription fee for residential users is $120 (approximately Tk15,000).
However, corporate users face higher costs, with both equipment and monthly fees more than double those of residential customers.
Prices also vary by country.
Industry analysts believe that if Starlink is successfully introduced in Bangladesh, it could revolutionise internet accessibility, particularly in remote regions, while safeguarding the digital economy from politically motivated disruptions.
