Starlink Launches High-Speed Satellite Internet in Bangladesh

Starlink, the satellite internet venture by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, officially launched its high-speed broadband service in Bangladesh on Tuesday, marking a transformative step towards ensuring reliable and uninterrupted digital connectivity across the country.

The service rollout comes at a critical time for Bangladesh, where past episodes of political unrest and infrastructure limitations have often led to internet outages, disproportionately affecting rural and underserved communities. By using a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, Starlink provides connectivity without relying on traditional ground-based networks—making it less vulnerable to political disruptions or natural disasters.

Muhammad Yunus, head of the interim government, hailed the launch as a major leap forward for the nation’s digital future. "Starlink will ensure internet access remains stable and secure, even in the face of political instability. It is a vital addition to our digital infrastructure," he said in a statement.

The service is now available nationwide. Customers can choose between two monthly packages—'Starlink Residential' and 'Residential Lite'—priced at Tk 6,000 and Tk 4,200 respectively. A one-time payment of Tk 47,000 is required for the setup kit, which includes a satellite dish and router. The service offers unlimited data with speeds of up to 300 Mbps and no throttling.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, confirmed the development. “Starlink informed me of the launch during a phone call on Monday. This is a landmark moment for our digital progress. It brings a sustainable and premium internet solution, particularly for remote and disaster-prone areas,” he said in a Facebook post.

Starlink’s entry is expected to significantly benefit Bangladesh’s expanding digital economy, especially as the country continues its push towards achieving the ‘Smart Bangladesh’ vision. With a growing youth population and increasing internet dependency, high-speed and resilient connectivity is seen as essential to economic growth, education, and innovation.

Last year’s widespread protests saw internet and mobile messaging services suspended across the country. Experts believe satellite-based services like Starlink will play a crucial role in preventing similar disruptions in the future, thereby safeguarding freedom of communication and digital resilience.

Globally, Starlink is already operational in over 70 countries and continues to expand in emerging markets, including South Asia. Its low-latency service is especially valuable in geographically challenging regions where laying fibre-optic cables is difficult or uneconomical.

The launch in Bangladesh is expected to set a precedent for further technological collaborations, as the country looks to strengthen its digital backbone and bridge the rural-urban connectivity gap.