The democratization of the internet in Bangladesh was truly an astonishing development that resulted in a transformative effect on both connectivity and the economy. While millions of Bangladeshi citizens already rely on internet-based services for practically every facet of their lives, there are still vast swathes of our country which have yet to be connected.
It is here that the proposed idea to introduce Starlink can make a transformative impact, as the technology relies on an array of satellites to connect regions to the internet wirelessly promising high-speed, low-latency internet in the process. The interim government deserves kudos for laying the groundwork for this important development.
According to telecom experts, Bangladesh is poised to adopt non-geostationary orbit satellite services to bolster its existing digital infrastructure, which holds the potential to enhance connectivity for millions, unlocking new opportunities in sectors such as healthcare, education, business, and, most importantly, community development.
Internet penetration is among the most important factors to have a transformative impact on various sectors and we have already seen this transformation across Bangladesh, however our rural areas have long been left out of this evolution, at least to any meaningful degree. It is in these regions that services such as Starlink stand to make the biggest impact.
However, given that Bangladesh is still considered a least developed country, it is important that such services have a low barrier to entry when it comes to cost. There is a reason that broadband internet service providers are exempt from paying any duties, as the country is host to millions of freelance workers who bring in crucial foreign remittance working remotely among other reasons. Seeing as how Starlink would primarily be focused on regions where internet connectivity is unreliable at best, cost is very much a factor that deserves to be carefully considered.
Friday, March 21, 2025
