Starlink, the satellite-based internet service provider founded by Elon Musk, officially marked its entry into Bangladesh with a live demonstration on the 3rd day of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, held at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka on 09 April 2025.
The event showcased Starlink’s internet capabilities through a trial setup, giving participants a firsthand experience of satellite-powered broadband in action. The service was presented by the Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) on the third day of the summit on April 09, 2025.
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Trial Service Launched
Though Starlink has begun operations in Bangladesh on a trial basis, no formal announcement has yet been made about its full-scale commercial rollout.
On March 29, 2025, Starlink received investment registration approval from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). The company was granted 90 working days to begin operations in the country.
However, for full commercial deployment, Starlink must acquire a Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) license from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). The BTRC has already approved the licensing process, moving the company closer to legal readiness for commercial service.
Performance and Speed
During the live demo, attendees witnessed average internet speeds of approximately 170 Mbps, even with more than 70 users connected to a single standard Starlink dish. The system was operating through a Malaysian International Internet Gateway (IIG), which slightly impacted speed and latency.
Touhidul Islam, Assistant Manager of BSCL, explained the trial launch:
“On average, more than 70 people were connected on a single Starlink standard dish or home dish at the event, and we were using Starlink by using Malaysian IIG, which resulted in slightly reduced speed and latency compared to optimal performance conditions.”
Despite the limitations, the speed and stability impressed many attendees and offered a glimpse into Starlink’s potential for revolutionizing internet access in Bangladesh, especially in areas lacking fiber infrastructure.
Public Reception
The demonstration sparked excitement and curiosity among summit participants. Many showed enthusiasm about the technology’s potential impact, though a few voiced concerns about future pricing and affordability. Many attendees have enjoyed the trial at the summit and are eager to see its full-scale launch.
Looking Ahead
While the trial launch has stirred significant interest, the commercial availability of Starlink in Bangladesh depends on the finalization of regulatory approvals and infrastructure setup.
For now, the Bangladesh Investment Summit has offered an early and promising look at how satellite internet might reshape the country’s digital landscape in the near future.
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