Starlink approved to operate in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has approved Starlink, a partner of SpaceX, to launch satellite internet services in Bangladesh.

Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud, the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), provided this information at a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy in Eskaton on Sunday afternoon (April 6).

He said, "In line with our commitment to them to start operations within 90 days, Starlink was approved on March 29."

Foreign companies are required to register with BIDA to operate in Bangladesh. Starlink has also been granted this registration.

The Executive Chairman of BIDA further mentioned that Starlink is expected to apply for the Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) license required for operations today (Sunday). If the application is submitted according to regulations, approval will be granted, and there will be no obstacles to their business operations in Bangladesh.

On April 9, at the Bangladesh Investment Summit, Starlink's internet service will be trialed at the InterContinental Hotel in the capital. All participants present will be able to use it. Additionally, the conference will be broadcast live using Starlink's internet.

Earlier, on February 13, a telephone conversation took place between Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. The discussion covered the potential of launching Starlink's satellite internet service in Bangladesh and future collaboration.

Technology sector experts say that with Starlink's arrival in Bangladesh, high-speed internet services will be easily accessible in remote areas. This will eliminate the disparity between rural and urban internet services. Young people in rural areas will be able to use high-speed internet for freelancing and other internet-based work. Starlink could also play a significant role in quickly restoring communication after disasters.