Starlink on Spotlight at ICBC Expo 2025

The International Cable TV, Broadcasting, and Communication (ICBC) Expo 2025 has commenced at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka. The four-day exhibition, organized by the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB), has been officially inaugurated on Thursday at afternoon by Mahfuz Alam, Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The expo brings together stakeholders from the cable television industry with broadband internet providers as part of a broader initiative to digitize the broadcasting sector. Alongside traditional cable operators, digital broadcast enablers are also showcasing their services.

However, even before the official launch, the expo grounds buzzed with excitement surrounding satellite internet provider Starlink. At the Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) pavilion, crowds gathered to scan QR codes and connect to Starlink’s newly launched commercial services in Bangladesh. Within the 2,000 square foot booth, visitors are able to access high-speed wireless internet for free.

“Through a terminal router, we’re offering visitors free access to the Starlink network,” said Omar Faruk, media officer at BSCL. “Between 70 to 100 users can connect simultaneously. At this moment, around 50 users are already online.”

The Starlink demo allows over 50 users to connect to a single router with speeds reaching up to 100 Mbps. However, some users noted that while speed was satisfactory, latency was higher than expected.

In addition to Starlink’s high-budget showcase, several affordable B2B broadband solutions tailored for small, medium, and cottage industries are being offered by providers like ICC Communication and Ayna Scope, the latter specializing in IPTV and OTT solutions.

Numerous companies are also presenting smart TV technologies and cloud-based content delivery services. Internet Service Providers (ISPs), International Internet Gateways (IIGs), and Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) entities are also participating in the expo.

Bangladesh's major TV channels have also set up booths, further enriching the expo’s diverse representation of the nation's broadcasting ecosystem.