Currently, internet services in Bangladesh rely on submarine cables. Starlink, however, offers internet through satellites, capable of delivering high-speed connectivity across the globe.
On Wednesday, Starlink's service was launched on a trial basis at the Bangladesh Investment Summit held at Hotel InterContinental in the capital.
At the event, visitors could test the speed of satellite-powered internet technology for free by scanning a special QR code at the stall of Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL). The summit’s proceedings were live-streamed using Starlink’s internet.
On March 29, the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority registered Starlink’s investment. Although the company was authorized to begin operations within 90 working days, the service launched ahead of schedule.
Earlier, on February 13, Nobel Laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus discussed Starlink in a video call with Elon Musk, one of the world’s richest men. This accelerated the process of launching the service. Several trial runs were also conducted in Dhaka over the past month.
Tech analysts believe this marks the beginning of a new era in Bangladesh, as Starlink—operated by SpaceX—already provides high-speed satellite internet in many countries. With its launch, even the most remote regions of Bangladesh could gain access to fast internet, helping reduce the digital divide between rural and urban areas.
According to Starlink, customers will need to purchase certain equipment to use the service at home. This includes a receiver (or antenna), kickstand, router, cables, and a power supply—collectively known as the Starlink Kit. The price ranges from $349 to $599 (approximately BDT 43,000 to 74,000).
For residential users, Starlink’s minimum monthly fee is $120 (around BDT 15,000). For corporate users, both the kit and the monthly fees are more than double. However, pricing varies from country to country.
In Bhutan, for instance, the monthly cost of residential fixed internet is 4,200 Bhutanese Ngultrum, which is roughly BDT 5,800.
