Satellite based Internet service Starlink has been trying to enter the Bangladesh market for three years. During that time they contacted the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) twice. When BIDA reported the matter to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), BTRC was initially disinterested in Starlink. In 2023, Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited took BTRC's approval to test Starlink's technology. Some Starlink technology came to Bangladesh in July that year for testing.

The download speed of Starlink Internet in the test is 150 megabytes per second. Meanwhile, Starlink added the name of Bangladesh to the new coverage on its website. It was then stuck on surveillance and national security issues. In the meantime, in the turbulent times of this year, that matter was also suppressed. However, this month, BIDA has started negotiations again.

According to sources, Ashiq Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), had a meeting with Rebecca Slick Hunter, director of Starlink's Global Licensing and Market Activation Department, on October 21. At the end of the meeting, he said that internet accessibility is now logically a life line. Had Starlink been in the country last July, the internet blockade would not have caused any disruption. Can be imagined, high-speed Internet in village schools, freelancing from the Sundarbans!

He did not say anything specific about Starlink starting business in Bangladesh but indicated that good news is coming. In this regard, BTRC Chairman Emdad Ul Bari said, 'Draft licensing guidelines are being prepared in this regard. Earlier on July 26 and 27, 2023, Joel Meredith and Pernil Urdharshi, representatives of Starlink, met with two ministers of the then government. Fahim Mashurur, a technical expert, said, 'There is no problem with this. But will be very expensive. However, many international companies and NGOs in the country will use it.

Incidentally, for the hardware needed to get Starlink internet service in the country, customers have to spend 599 dollars or 65 thousand 959 taka. The monthly fee is 120 dollars or 13 thousand 213 taka. On the other hand, 5 Mbps speed broadband internet in the country costs 500 dollars. 400 to 500 taka to buy 30 GB internet on mobile. However, domestic entrepreneurs have expressed apprehension that the country's telecom companies and cable internet supply companies will face competition when Starlink operations start.