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**Bangladesh Satellite Company Explores Partnership with Starlink to Accelerate Market Entry**
Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL), the country’s exclusive satellite provider, recently held discussions with Starlink officials to explore partnership opportunities aimed at fast-tracking Starlink’s entry into the Bangladesh market in the coming months. The meeting took place on Sunday, as reported by the Daily Star.
BSCL proposed a strategic collaboration, offering services such as sales and marketing, post-sales customer support, distribution of Starlink kits, and revenue collection through its banking channels. Additionally, the proposal includes hosting Starlink’s gateway at BSCL’s ground stations in Gazipur and Betbunia.
The BSCL also highlighted the advantages of its infrastructure for a potential Starlink partnership, including uninterrupted power supply, redundant fiber connections, 24/7 maintenance, and highly secured facilities.
In a related development, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Prof Muhammad Yunus, held an online meeting with SpaceX and Starlink CEO Elon Musk last month to discuss the possibility of bringing Starlink services to Bangladesh. BSCL’s managing director, Muhammad Imadur Rahman, mentioned that Yunus aims to launch Starlink services by May 2025.
Discussions between BSCL and Starlink have been ongoing since May 2023, with successful tests of Starlink kits conducted in Dhaka, Rangpur, Hatia, and the Bay of Bengal.
On the regulatory front, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) began working on guidelines last year to regulate LEO and MEO satellite broadband service providers, including provisions allowing wholly owned foreign companies to obtain licenses. The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology has also proposed a 25% rebate on fees for foreign satellite companies partnering with local operators. The first draft of these guidelines was completed in October 2024, but they have yet to be finalized.
Telenor Pakistan has invested over $5 billion in the country, contributing more than Rs500 billion in taxes over 20 years. The company continues to serve 44 million customers while enhancing connectivity in northern Pakistan through 4G services and technological innovations, including achieving record-breaking data speeds and conducting a 5G trial.
Orange and Telesat have partnered to integrate Telesat Lightspeed’s satellite technology into Orange Wholesale’s global portfolio, providing low-latency, secure connectivity solutions. This collaboration will enhance connectivity in underserved regions, combining advanced satellite technology with Orange’s expertise to boost resilience and digital inclusion in remote areas across Europe, Africa, and beyond.
Ooredoo Group and ITPC have signed an agreement to land the Fibre in Gulf (FIG) subsea cable in Iraq, positioning the country as a major hub for global data traffic between Asia and Europe. The cable will enhance Iraq’s digital infrastructure and drive growth in AI, Cloud, and IoT sectors.
HUTCH has partnered with the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) through its Future Connect programme to provide undergraduates with essential skills in areas like Data Analytics, IT, Networking, and HR. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, preparing students for successful careers.
Bahrain has achieved a historic milestone with the successful launch of “Al Munther,” the nation’s first domestically designed satellite. Deployed aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the satellite features advanced AI, cybersecurity, and a special broadcast, marking a significant step in Bahrain’s space innovation and technological progress.
Key Takeaways: The United Arab Emirates has marked a significant achievement in its space exploration endeavors with the successful launch…
Qatar University (QU) has signed an MoU with Qatar Post to enhance official document delivery services for students. This partnership aims to streamline processes, improve accessibility, and ensure quicker access to university documents, supporting the academic community and contributing to Qatar’s digital transformation efforts.
The Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) will grant 5G licenses to NTC and Ncell within a week of receiving applications. Both companies are ready to launch 5G services, with NTC already conducting trials. The rollout is expected to begin soon, bringing faster internet speeds and advanced mobile connectivity to Nepal.
