Starlink Set to Safeguard Bangladesh's Internet Freedom
The primary reason behind inviting Elon Musk’s Starlink to Bangladesh is to permanently end online shutdowns, according to Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser of the interim government. He made this statement in a post on his verified Facebook account on Tuesday (February 25).
In his post, Shafiqul Alam wrote, “The main reason for inviting and launching Elon Musk’s Starlink in Bangladesh is to end the business of online shutdowns forever. During Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year autocratic rule, the internet was shut down numerous times. Internet blackouts are a favorite tool of dictators and autocrats to suppress protests or major opposition movements. However, in the process, thousands of freelancers were affected, with some losing contracts and jobs permanently. The arrival of Starlink in Bangladesh means that no future government will be able to completely shut down the internet. At the very least, BPO firms, call centers, and freelancers will not suffer due to new attempts to cut off access.”
Discussions regarding the launch of Starlink’s satellite internet service in Bangladesh took place between Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and leading American entrepreneur Elon Musk. The virtual meeting was held on Thursday (February 13), as confirmed in a press release issued by Shafiqul Alam.
The statement noted that Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh, held a virtual meeting with Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX and owner of Tesla and X. They discussed future cooperation and potential progress concerning the introduction of Starlink’s satellite internet service in Bangladesh.
