Bangladesh Mobile Phone Users’ Association Urges Public Hearing on Starlink Internet Pricing and Service Quality

The Bangladesh Mobile Phone Users’ Association (BMUA) has called on the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to hold a public hearing before the official launch of Starlink’s satellite internet services in the country. In a statement issued to the media on Sunday, BMUA President Mohiuddin Ahmed emphasized the need for transparency regarding the service quality, pricing, and operational details of Starlink’s upcoming offerings.

“The world’s wealthiest entrepreneur and leading technology service provider, Starlink Satellite, has already submitted an application to BTRC to operate in Bangladesh,” said Mohiuddin Ahmed.

He noted that the government has responded positively to Starlink’s proposal, with expectations that the service could begin as early as next month. However, Ahmed expressed concerns over the lack of clarity about several critical aspects of the service. “The nature of the satellite service, its quality, consumer costs, data limits, speeds, signal transmission, latency, as well as how packages, pricing, and validity will be determined, remain unclear to the public,” he stated.

Highlighting the importance of a public hearing, Ahmed cited examples from other sectors. “When the government planned to import LNG and issued licenses, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) held a public hearing to discuss pricing. We presented our opinions during that session, and the entire nation learned about the pricing structure through the media. This approach ensures accountability in setting service standards and prices, and we believe a similar process should be followed for Starlink,” he explained.

Referring to Bhutan's recent decision on Starlink pricing, Ahmed mentioned that the Bhutanese Information Department has already set clear price points. The 'Residential Lite' package costs 3,000 Ngultrum per month (around BDT 4,200) with internet speeds ranging from 23 Mbps to 100 Mbps. The 'Standard Residential' package is priced at 4,200 Ngultrum (approximately BDT 5,800) and offers speeds between 25 Mbps and 110 Mbps.

However, Ahmed argued that Bhutan’s pricing may not be suitable for Bangladesh. “The prices set in Bhutan are quite high compared to what the average Bangladeshi consumer can afford. Pricing is often influenced by the rates in neighboring countries, but we must consider differences in tax structures and people’s purchasing power. Social, economic, and environmental factors must be taken into account, and a public hearing would play a vital role in gathering input from citizens,” he said.

Ahmed further announced that BMUA plans to formally submit a request to BTRC within the next couple of days, urging them to organize the public hearing. “We hope BTRC will take this initiative seriously and ensure transparency in the rollout of Starlink’s services,” he added.

Starlink’s potential entry into the Bangladeshi market has generated significant public interest, with many eagerly anticipating enhanced internet connectivity, especially in remote and underserved regions. The BMUA’s call for a public hearing aims to ensure that the service remains both affordable and accessible for the wider population.