Bangladesh has approved the launch of Starlink, the satellite internet service developed by U.S. tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. With a trial run on April 9, Starlink aims to revolutionize Bangladesh’s digital landscape, promising high-speed internet access even in the country’s most remote and underserved regions.
In today’s world, digital infrastructure has become as vital as roads and power grids. It serves as a foundational indicator of a country’s national growth and development. For a developing country like Bangladesh, which aspires to become a $1 trillion economy by 2034, establishing a high-tech, internationally standardized digital infrastructure is crucial. There is no doubt about the necessity of high-speed internet and robust digital systems. However, when it comes to private technological ventures like Starlink, important questions arise.
Sovereignty is no longer limited to land, sea, and air – it now extends to cyberspace and even outer space. Satellite-based internet services like Starlink blur the lines between technological innovation and geopolitical control. While the technology holds promise for connecting Bangladesh’s rural and hard-to-reach areas, it also raises critical questions about national autonomy, data ownership, and digital governance.
As Bangladesh permits a foreign private company to beam internet services directly from space, several issues arise. Who owns the data transmitted through these satellites? Who oversees the surveillance and security of this data? What legal frameworks govern foreign-operated satellite networks functioning above a sovereign nation’s territory? These questions are not merely technical – they strike at the very heart of national security and policymaking.
Control over the digital skies increasingly means control over data, and by extension, influence over economic and political decisions. Without comprehensive legal safeguards and effective oversight mechanisms, Bangladesh may encounter emerging challenges such as cybersecurity risks, potential foreign surveillance, and increased long-term dependence on external digital infrastructure.
Bangladesh’s existing regulatory frameworks are struggling to keep pace with the rapid advancements in satellite technology. Is the country equipped to regulate and monitor an entity like Starlink, with its vast data-handling capabilities and transnational infrastructure? The absence of a clear, enforceable strategy could open the door to complex governance challenges and even undermine the state’s digital sovereignty.
In contrast, countries like India have taken a more cautious route. In 2021, the Indian government directed SpaceX to stop accepting preorders for Starlink services until it obtained an operational license, citing concerns that encrypted satellite communication could bypass national monitoring systems – particularly in sensitive regions like Kashmir and Manipur.
European nations such as France, the United Kingdom, and Germany have also implemented multilayered regulatory approval systems for satellite-based internet services, highlighting the need for thorough vetting before deployment.
Bangladesh could benefit by studying these regulatory approaches, drawing lessons from how more developed nations are balancing innovation with sovereignty and national security.
While Starlink promises unprecedented connectivity, its affordability remains a major concern. In urban Bangladesh, current internet service providers (ISPs) charge about $4 per month for 5mbps broadband while mobile internet costs between $3-4 per 30 GB.
In contrast, Starlink’s proposed monthly cost stands at around $120 – making it viable only for wealthy households or commercial use. Furthermore, the proposed setup cost for Starlink ground equipment in Bangladesh is around $599, which is beyond the reach of the average citizen.
This pricing raises questions about Starlink’s viability as a tool for bridging the digital divide. If left unregulated, the service could deepen existing inequalities, becoming another elite technology in a country striving for digital inclusion.
Yet examples from African countries offer an alternative model. In Kenya, Starlink’s monthly fee is around $10 – less than half the cost of many local ISPs. Countries such as Botswana, Madagascar, Rwanda, and Zambia have also managed to keep Starlink’s pricing below $30 per month, ensuring wider access.
Bangladesh should explore similar pricing negotiations to ensure affordability. Public-private partnerships, subsidies, or tiered pricing models could make Starlink a truly transformative tool rather than an exclusive commodity.
The launch of Starlink represents a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s digital evolution. But it also demands a thoughtful and strategic approach. Robust data protection laws, regulatory preparedness, cybersecurity safeguards, and international cooperation will be crucial to ensure that Bangladesh maximizes the benefits of satellite internet without compromising its sovereignty.
As the government prepares for the official rollout, policymakers must carefully evaluate both the opportunities and the risks. Starlink’s presence may orbit the Earth, but its consequences will be deeply felt on the ground.