Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb has said Starlink will ensure reliable, high-speed internet access across Bangladesh, from urban centers to remote regions, coastal areas and northern territories, unaffected by load shedding or natural disasters.
Speaking at a discussion titled “Measures to Ensure High-Speed, Quality and Affordable Internet Access,” organized by the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association at the National Press Club on Sunday, Faiz said internet shutdowns will no longer be permitted under any special circumstances.
The current government is actively working on formulating policies to prevent such occurrences, he added.
Faiz noted that several Bangladeshi companies are collaborating as partners with Starlink -- a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, an international telecommunications provider that is a wholly owned subsidiary of American aerospace company SpaceX -- to facilitate the establishment of a ground earth station in the country.
A Starlink delegation is currently visiting Bangladesh and has signed agreements with various institutions to support the launch of Starlink’s internet services, he added.
"On February 19, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus formally invited Starlink founder and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to visit Bangladesh and participate in the official launch of Starlink’s satellite services. He informed Musk that this visit would provide an opportunity to engage with the country’s youth, who are poised to be the primary beneficiaries of this advanced technology."
Faiz said agreements have been signed concerning land allocation, construction assistance and infrastructure maintenance.
He added that the Starlink team has identified specific locations for these operations, including properties owned by Bangladeshi companies and land within high-tech parks.
He mentioned that discussions are ongoing regarding project sites and implementation details.
"Starlink aims to provide seamless, high-quality service, which is particularly crucial given the limited expansion of telecom-grade fiber networks in Bangladesh and the persistent issue of power outages in rural areas. The initiative is expected to significantly enhance the activities of entrepreneurs, freelancers, NGOs and SMEs, driving forward digital economic ventures."
He said that within the next 90 days, efforts will be made to establish a viable implementation model with Starlink.
