Starlink
Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, officially launched its services in Bangladesh on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to enhance internet accessibility and resilience. The initiative is particularly timely as the South Asian nation seeks stable digital infrastructure amidst ongoing political uncertainty.
Starlink, owned by Musk’s SpaceX, offers high-speed, low-latency internet services via a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The service aims to provide uninterrupted internet access, even in remote or underserved regions where traditional broadband infrastructure has often fallen short.
“Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency internet is now available in Bangladesh,” the company confirmed in a post on X (formerly Twitter), signaling its full-scale operational rollout across the country.
The move comes under the leadership of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who assumed control of an interim government in August after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India in the wake of nationwide unrest and mass protests.
During the unrest, internet and SMS services were suspended, creating an urgent demand for more resilient digital connectivity. Yunus has emphasized that Starlink’s technology provides a vital safeguard against such disruptions in the future.
“This is a sustainable alternative for premium customers to access high-quality and high-speed internet services that won’t be vulnerable to political disruption,” said Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, an aide to Yunus.
In a Facebook post, Taiyeb outlined the pricing: monthly subscription packages start at 4,200 Bangladeshi taka (approximately $35 USD), with an upfront cost of 47,000 taka for the installation equipment.
Starlink’s launch is expected to boost internet accessibility for both urban and rural users, fostering digital inclusion and supporting sectors such as education, healthcare, and commerce. The satellite service is particularly appealing in regions where fiber-optic infrastructure is either inadequate or non-existent.
Globally, Starlink has expanded its footprint to over 70 countries, with a growing presence in emerging markets, including India and now Bangladesh. The rollout underscores SpaceX’s commitment to bridging the global digital divide and supporting technological development in the Global South.
With Starlink now operational in Bangladesh, the country joins a growing list of nations investing in next-generation connectivity to drive socio-economic progress and digital resilience.
