Amid growing anticipation, there are signs that Starlink, the ambitious project led by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, may soon be making its way to Bangladesh. Recent reports indicate that SpaceX officials have arrived in Dhaka to engage in discussions with Bangladesh’s ICT Division regarding the official launch of the Starlink internet service in the country. While concrete details about the outcome of these talks remain scarce, the question on everyone’s mind is whether Starlink is indeed coming to Bangladesh.
The talks, which took place on June 14, involved representatives from SpaceX, including Mathew Dunn, Senior Director of Global Business & Government Affairs, Joel Meredith, Manager of Global Government Affairs, and Parnil Urdhwareshe, Manager of Global Licensing and Activation. During these discussions, the focus was on exploring the potential of digital connectivity and how cutting-edge technologies such as Starlink satellites could prove beneficial for Bangladesh. Notably, they explored the utilization of Starlink to improve e-health services in remote areas and establish connectivity for the Rohingya community and hilly regions in the country.
The prospect of Starlink’s arrival in Bangladesh was initially raised when the project began accepting pre-orders from 32 countries, including countries like Mexico, Germany, France, India, and some parts of the United States. To the delight of local enthusiasts, Bangladesh was also included in this list. According to information from Starlink’s official website, the satellite internet service was projected to be available in these selected countries, including Bangladesh, by the year 2023.
With official discussions now in progress, there is hope that Bangladesh may soon join the roster of countries enjoying the benefits of Starlink internet service.
For those unfamiliar with Starlink, it represents a groundbreaking endeavor aimed at providing high-speed internet access to even the most remote and underserved regions worldwide. The system relies on overhead satellite dishes and accompanying routers, which are distributed to subscribers of the Starlink service. Users can set up these devices on their own, and the company promises uninterrupted, high-quality broadband connection facilitated by signals transmitted from space.
To assist subscribers, Starlink provides an Android/iOS app to help find the optimal location to mount the satellite dish. This is crucial, as the dish must receive signals from space, necessitating installation in an open space such as a rooftop or backyard.
If Starlink internet does indeed make its way to Bangladesh, the potential impact could be transformative. Starlink’s design is particularly effective in areas with limited existing internet connectivity or in remote locations, making it a promising solution for bridging the digital divide in the country.
According to user reports, Starlink offers impressive download speeds ranging from 25 to 220 MBPS, with many experiencing an average of over 100 MBPS. Meanwhile, upload speeds are typically around 5 to 20 MBPS.
When Starlink initially began accepting pre-orders in Bangladesh, interested customers were required to pay a deposit fee of $99 when selecting Bangladesh as their service address. However, the recent report suggests that Bangladeshi officials are also exploring the possibility of negotiating special pricing arrangements with this new internet provider.
In conclusion, the potential arrival of Starlink in Bangladesh has sparked considerable excitement, with hopes of witnessing a new era of high-speed internet connectivity that could significantly improve digital access and services throughout the country. As discussions between SpaceX and Bangladesh’s ICT Division continue, we await further updates on whether Starlink will become a reality for homes and businesses in Bangladesh.
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