Starlink Secures BSCL Deal as Bangladesh Declares: “Never Again an Internet Shutdown”
Starlink has officially announced the start of its commercial operations in Bangladesh, two months after launching its initial activities in the country. Beginning July 18, the satellite-based internet service provider appointed Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) as its official wholesale partner.
At a press conference held at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor on ICT and Telecom Affairs, confirmed that although the service is still being routed via Malaysia, the process of establishing a local gateway has already begun and is expected to be operational within the next 30 days.
Taiyeb also made a significant declaration: “We are drafting a law to ensure no government can shut down the internet in the future. The legal process is complex and will take a little time, but it is underway.”
Earlier, Starlink signed a business-to-business (B2B) agreement with BSCL. The agreement was signed by BSCL Managing Director Dr. Imadur Rahman and Starlink’s Vice President of Business Operations Lauren Dreyer. Richard Griffiths, Director of International Strategy and Government Relations at Starlink, was also present.
Following the signing, Lauren Dreyer stated, “When I joined SpaceX 18 years ago, we were a small team. Now we are 15,000 strong, working to create unprecedented opportunities for people around the world—including in Bangladesh.”
She emphasized, “Starlink now operates in over 150 countries and regions. High-speed internet is no longer a dream but a critical and reliable lifeline during emergencies such as natural disasters. We're not just launching satellites—we're opening new doors in telemedicine, education, and connectivity. Bangladesh is becoming a model nation. We are excited to witness how Starlink transforms lives here.”
Richard Griffiths added, “The ease of doing business in Bangladesh has been remarkable. The country is welcoming to new ventures.”
After delivering their statements, the foreign guests departed due to other commitments. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb then addressed a Q&A session with media representatives.
In his written remarks, Taiyeb recalled the dark chapter of last year: “Exactly one year ago, Bangladesh fell into digital darkness. Today, we begin a new era. Through Starlink, we want to send a clear message: no one should dare to disconnect our people from the world again. Uninterrupted internet is not just a service—it is a right. Starlink will reach every corner of Bangladesh, especially remote and rural areas. Today, Bangladesh is connected—and it will never be disconnected again.”
Responding to a question about the legal framework, Taiyeb noted, “It’s a complicated law, but the government is working to bring about structural reforms within the next year.”
Regarding pricing and distribution, he said, “Starlink will appoint its preferred distributors in Bangladesh and offer customer service through them. Our position on control and security is very clear—we will not shut down the internet; rather, we will protect it through legislation.”
When asked if Starlink’s packages were expensive in the Bangladeshi context or if any customized offers were planned, he replied, “Pricing is a business decision for the company. But we’ve observed that compared to Sri Lanka, prices here are much lower. In the future, use-cases for coastal, island, and hard-to-reach regions may introduce more flexible pricing.”
On when Starlink will be fully operational, Taiyeb responded, “All logistics and regulatory approvals are nearly complete, and services have already commenced. As use-cases grow, so will expansion. The aim is to deliver high-quality, high-speed internet. Satellite internet is the next generation, alongside mobile and broadband internet. There will be competition, but it will be market-driven. No one is replacing anyone—opportunities are open for all.”
Also present at the event were Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government; Zahidul Islam, Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology; BTRC Chairman Emdadul Bari; and ICT Secretary Shish Hayder Chowdhury.
Other notable attendees included Dr. Imadur Rahman, Managing Director of BSCL, and Md. Aslam Hossain, Managing Director of Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCPLC).
