By Sadia Sultana Rimi:
Bangladesh’s IT sector has recently been struggling to increase digital inclusion. Land cost, logistics, and administrative barriers to deploying fiber-optic internet in rural and remote areas remain. Innovative technologies such as low-Earth satellite networks (LEO) such as Starlink are crucial in addressing these challenges. Starlink can reduce the digital divide in remote areas by providing high-speed broadband internet services.
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Starlink Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SpaceX. The project began in 2015 and launched the first 60 prototype satellites on February 22, 2018. The project aims to deliver high-speed internet service to remote and inaccessible regions of the world where existing infrastructure is inadequate or unstable.
The Starlink network currently consists of thousands of small LEO satellites connected to each other via laser links and ground stations. Download speeds of 25–220 Mbps and upload speeds of 11–34 Mbps have been observed during idle. The latency required for gaming and live streaming is in the range of 20–50 milliseconds, which is much lower than that of conventional GEO satellite networks. Low-Earth orbits present link handover challenges depending on wind, weather changes, and ground station locations.
The Starlink constellation currently consists of more than 7,135 satellites, ensuring secure connectivity worldwide. These satellites are being deployed in phases in different orbits, so that a minimum level of service reaches almost every corner of the world.
According to measurements taken from different countries, the average latency during peak hours has dropped to 33 milliseconds, down from 48.5 milliseconds previously. Latency in different parts of the world fluctuates between 20-50 milliseconds, which is suitable for many gaming and real-time communications. Starlink is optimizing performance by collecting data from millions of routers every 15 seconds to stabilize speed and latency.
In the US, residential plans start at $35 per month (approximately ?4,000), and global roaming 50GB plans start at $50/month, unlimited at $165/month. In other countries, costs vary by location; in some parts of Europe and Asia, monthly costs remain at $100–120 (approximately ?10,000–?12,000). The terminal (dish) costs a one-time purchase of about $349–$599 (Tk. 42,500–65,000).
Bangladesh’s interim government believes it can complete the Starlink internet service deal within the next three months. As announced after Independence Day, the government will gradually roll out high-speed satellite internet to provide quality rural connectivity.
According to government guidelines, Starlink or any other NGSO satellite operator will not be allowed to provide direct television broadcasts or DTH services. The legal power to covertly monitor and shut down services will remain, which has raised concerns about civil liberties and privacy. The government department warned that “Starlink services may be restricted or suspended at any time.”
The high price tag means that a large number of poor or middle-income households are unable to afford Starlink. Land, electricity, and security remain challenges in setting up ground stations due to the lack of telecom infrastructure in rural areas. There are concerns about civil liberties and personal privacy due to government censorship and surveillance measures.
By bringing high-speed internet to remote areas, it is possible to develop digital education, healthcare and agricultural technology. Starlink’s redundant links can play a significant role in accelerating emergency response services in disaster-prone areas. It will help create e-commerce, freelancing and technology-based jobs in the private sector.
Starlink can bridge the digital divide by providing broadband connectivity to rural and remote areas. It will facilitate the adoption of e-learning, telemedicine and smart agriculture technologies. It will help internet-based startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) expand. It will create opportunities for foreign exchange in freelancing and digital services trade. Increased government surveillance capabilities may increase the risk of privacy violations and unwanted surveillance. The importance of high-speed, unalterable connectivity will also be fulfilled in war zones and for security reasons.
Establishing ground stations in partnership with domestic telecom operators will increase service capacity. Tinka can be installed in phases by combining rural electricity and solar panels. Technology transfer and cost reduction can be achieved by signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with various organizations worldwide. Maintenance capacity should be built by providing training to local IT educational institutions. Latency can be further reduced by developing laser-link and mini-ground station technology. Investment should be made in nanosat-based next-generation LEO platforms.
Starlink can be a stepping stone to digital inclusion and rural development in Bangladesh, but challenges related to cost, policy, and security must be addressed. A clear roadmap for public-private partnerships will help make rural connectivity sustainable. It is a timely commitment to transform Starlink into a success in Bangladesh by leveraging future technological innovations and building local capacity.
Sadia Sultana Rimi is a Student, Mathematics Department, Jagannath University, Dhaka