US-based satellite internet service provider Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has officially launched its services in Bangladesh, offering two packages — Starlink Residence and Residence Lite.
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant on posts, telecommunications and ICT affairs to the chief adviser, on Tuesday made the announcement in a Facebook post, saying that the customers in Bangladesh could start placing orders from the day.
Earlier on April 28, Bangladesh interim government’s chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus approved the licence for Starlink, marking a step towards improving connectivity, especially in remote and underserved areas.
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb said, ‘Starlink Residence will cost Tk 6,000 a month and Residence Lite will cost Tk 4,200 a month, with a one-time setup fee of Tk 47,000, required for the equipment.’
He further said that there would be no speed or data limits and individuals would be able to use unlimited data at the speed of up to 300 Mbps.
‘Although expensive, this creates a sustainable alternative for premium customers to access high-quality and high-speed internet services,’ he said, adding, ‘Companies will have the opportunities to expand their business in the areas where fibre or high-speed internet services have not reached yet.’
Addressing a press conference later on the day at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital Dhaka, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb said that the operation of Starlink internet in the country would not hamper the country’s data sovereignty, reports Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.
He also assured that Starlink would operate using local gateways to keep all data traffic within Bangladesh’s jurisdiction.
‘All regulatory protocols were carefully followed before granting approval to Starlink… As part of the agreement, Starlink will pay the government $1 per device as revenue,’ he said.
He said that the Starlink would cover across 20-30 metres and capable of penetrating 2-3 rooms in multi-story buildings.
He added that the government was working to create a financial package to make Starlink available to those who would provide citizen services.
Reassuring the existing internet service providers, he stressed that Starlink’s entry would not disrupt the ongoing broadband infrastructure projects, including those in partnership with Chinese companies.