Starlink Launches Corporate Internet in Bangladesh via World’s Largest Ground Station
▼ Summary
– Starlink has launched satellite-based internet service in Bangladesh, starting with corporate clients including Eastern Bank and over 20 other organizations.
– The service operates through a ground station in Kaliakoir, Gazipur, which is the largest Starlink ground station globally and can extend coverage to neighboring countries.
– Felicity IDC Limited is facilitating the rollout with high-priority corporate packages, while BSCL has appointed resellers like Robi Axiata under strict eligibility requirements.
– Retail adoption is growing among freelancers and entrepreneurs, with packages priced at Tk6,000 or Tk4,200 monthly plus a Tk49,500 hardware kit, and additional ground stations are planned to expand coverage.
– Starlink may disrupt the market by offering high-speed, low-latency internet in remote areas, but high costs could limit adoption to enterprises and affluent users unless prices decrease.
A new era of digital connectivity has arrived in Bangladesh with the introduction of Starlink’s corporate satellite internet service, promising to transform how businesses operate and communicate. Eastern Bank has taken the lead as the first financial institution to adopt this cutting-edge technology, alongside more than twenty other major organizations such as Ibn Sina Group, Channel 24, and Ananta Group. This advanced service is powered by a massive ground station located in Kaliakoir, Gazipur, which boasts an impressive array of 80 antennas. Not only is this facility the largest of its kind for Starlink anywhere in the world, but it also has the capacity to provide coverage extending into neighboring nations.
Felicity IDC Limited, a sister company of Fiber@Home, is managing the service rollout, offering corporate clients high-priority packages that receive four times the network prioritization compared to standard users. The Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) plays a crucial role in this expansion, having established strict eligibility criteria for reseller partners, including a mandatory deposit of Tk3 crore. Robi Axiata has emerged as the first authorized reseller, with plans to deliver both enterprise-grade solutions and community Wi-Fi services aimed at rural areas.
Although corporate adoption is progressing cautiously due to the significant investment required, interest among retail users is steadily increasing. Freelancers and entrepreneurs are particularly drawn to the service, attracted by the prospect of reliable high-speed internet in regions where traditional options fall short. Retail packages are available at Tk6,000 and Tk4,200 per month, with a one-time hardware cost of Tk49,500. To further enhance network reliability and reach, additional ground stations are planned in Jessore, Cox’s Bazar, and Mymensingh.
Market analysts believe Starlink has the potential to significantly disrupt Bangladesh’s internet landscape by filling critical service gaps, especially in remote and underserved locations. The technology offers high-speed, low-latency connections that are ideal for businesses and individuals in areas with limited infrastructure. That said, the current pricing structure may restrict broader adoption to enterprises, affluent households, and essential institutions unless more competitive rates are introduced in the future.
(Source: MEA Tech Watch)
