Satellite-Based Internet Starlink Sparks Discussion Across Bangladesh
Starlink, the satellite-based internet service, has become a trending topic in Bangladesh ahead of its scheduled demo test in Dhaka on April 9. The service will be officially launched during the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025. Prior to this, a speed test of Starlink’s internet service was conducted at a hotel in Dhaka on Monday.
On March 24 at 9:33 PM, Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, shared the test results on his verified social media handle, showcasing impressive internet speeds. However, attempts to reach Shafiqul Alam and other concerned officials for further details were unsuccessful.
An analysis of the speed test image shared on Shafiqul Alam’s verified Facebook page revealed that although the connection speed reached 230 Mbps, its upload and download speeds varied. The connection was asymmetric rather than full-duplex, with a download speed of 230 Mbps and an upload speed of 20 Mbps. The latency ranged between 50-53 milliseconds (ms). The test was conducted using Starlink servers located in Singapore and Hong Kong, while the client location was displayed as Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The speed test results were also shared by Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, who wrote in his post, "Today’s milestone! The team is working with incredible speed. Team Professor Yunus!"
Starlink, owned by SpaceX, provides internet services via low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, particularly benefiting remote and rural areas by offering high-speed connectivity.
However, the social media post regarding the speed test has triggered online debates and memes, with some users questioning why the location appeared as Kuala Lumpur. Alongside likes and love reactions, several “Haha” reactions were also observed on the post.
Notably, on February 13, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus held a virtual meeting with Elon Musk, urging him to launch Starlink’s internet service in Bangladesh. He later sent an official invitation for Musk to visit Bangladesh. In mid-March, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, who also serves as an adviser to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information and Communication Technology, announced efforts to bring Starlink to Bangladesh within 90 days. Finally, Ashiq Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BIDA, confirmed that Starlink’s test run is set for April 9, coinciding with the Investment Summit at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka from April 7 to 10.
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