Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) is actively pursuing a partnership with Starlink to facilitate the introduction of satellite internet services in Bangladesh. BSCL has proposed hosting Starlink’s gateway at its ground stations in Gazipur and Betbunia, aiming to leverage its robust infrastructure to support Starlink’s entry into the country.
A meeting held recently in Dhaka brought together BSCL officials, including Managing Director Muhammad Imadur Rahman and Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser on telecom, with Starlink representatives led by Rebecca Slick Hunter, Director of Global Licensing and Market Activation. BSCL showcased its technical capabilities and services, emphasizing uninterrupted power supply, highly redundant fibre connections with 99.99% availability, and 24/7 maintenance by skilled personnel.
The initiative aligns with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus’s efforts, who earlier discussed the potential collaboration with Elon Musk, receiving a positive response. Prof Yunus invited Musk to Bangladesh for the potential launch, signaling strong government support.
BSCL’s facilities, classified under the government’s Key Point Installation Category A, offer the highest security level. Starlink expressed admiration for BSCL’s capacities and will forward the proposal to its headquarters for consideration.
Under the proposed partnership, BSCL would manage sales, marketing, post-sales customer support, user terminal importation and distribution, and revenue collection through banking channels. The collaboration also aims to streamline regulatory approvals from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and relevant ministries.
Significant progress has been made: a non-disclosure agreement was signed in May 2023, followed by successful tests of five Starlink terminals in diverse environments including Dhaka, Rangpur, Hatia, and the Bay of Bengal. These tests demonstrated reliable and robust connectivity. BSCL submitted a report to BTRC affirming Starlink’s strong performance nationwide.
Telecom expert Mustafa Mahmud Hussain highlighted BSCL’s strategic position, citing its technical expertise, infrastructure, priority power supply, and data center as critical enablers for a seamless Starlink rollout. Acting as a single point of contact and system integrator, BSCL can provide end-to-end management and leverage its regulatory know-how to support Starlink’s market entry.
Regulatory developments are also progressing. In October 2024, BTRC drafted guidelines allowing wholly foreign-owned satellite internet operators to obtain licenses, clearing the path for Starlink and similar ventures. The telecom ministry has recommended a 25% fee rebate for providers partnering with local satellite operators, though the guideline awaits finalization.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, in a February 2025 letter to Elon Musk, underscored Starlink’s potential to enhance connectivity for young entrepreneurs, rural populations, and underserved areas across Bangladesh.
Multiple local telecom companies are competing to partner with Starlink. Richard H Griffiths, senior adviser at SpaceX, confirmed Starlink’s open partnership model, stating that once licensed, Starlink would collaborate with multiple local operators to expand services effectively.
