Internet Shutdowns Set Back Branding; Starlink Not a Silver Bullet

Internet shutdowns have significantly damaged Bangladesh’s national branding, but foreign satellite-based internet services such as Starlink cannot be considered a permanent solution, according to industry leaders.

Tanvir Ibrahim, President of the Bangladesh Association of Call Center & Outsourcing (BACCO), said that during the previous government’s tenure, repeated internet shutdowns severely undermined the country’s image. In that context, Starlink initially appeared to be a possible way to help recover lost branding. However, he cautioned that Starlink itself has recently been shut down in at least one country, proving that it is not a reliable long-term solution.

“Starlink may be good for creating market competition, but it cannot be treated as a solution,” Tanvir Ibrahim said.

He made these remarks at the “Voice for Reform: ICT and Telecom Sector Reform Agenda” event organized by the Technology Industry Policy Advocacy Platform (TIPAP).

During the discussion, the business leader called for the immediate implementation of an AI policy. He welcomed reforms in the telecom policy, praised the initiative on software code repository ownership, and expressed expectations for affordable infrastructure support for the industry.

The event was held on Wednesday morning, January 14, at the BDBL Building in the capital. It was moderated by TIPAP Coordinator Fahim Mashroor. Speakers at the discussion included BTRC Commissioner Brigadier General Iqbal Ahmed, Professor Dr M. Niaz Asadullah, head of the ICT and Telecom White Paper Committee, former Robi Managing Director Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, and Bondstein founder Mir Shah Rukh Islam, among others.

The chief guest at the event was Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser.

DBTech/MUM/EK/OR