Starlink’s potential benefits are more economic than political
There are reasons to believe that the presence of an accessible Starlink in the country will bear economic fruits rather than political ones, such as barring the government from imposing a complete internet shutdown
On 13 February, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus spoke at length with tech billionaire and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to explore potential areas of collaboration. The discussion included introducing Starlink satellite internet service in Bangladesh.
The moment the news surfaced, everyone saw it as a ray of hope for a country like Bangladesh, which is struggling with internet access. The discussion gained momentum when the CA sent Musk a formal letter inviting him to visit Bangladesh and urging him to launch Starlink within 90 working days.
"I look forward to it," Musk said.
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However, on 25 February, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam's statement sparked even more discussion among netizens. He surprised everyone by saying that Starlink's arrival in the Bangladesh market means no future government can fully shut down the internet.
Notably, a significant chapter of the July movement was the nationwide internet shutdown on 17 July, which lasted for more than a week. Former ICT Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak presented various justifications at the time, but the truth eventually came to light— it was a deliberate government strategy to suppress the movement.
"If there were no gateway in Bangladesh, it wouldn't be possible to shut it down—just like in Ukraine, where the internet is provided from above. They have inter-satellite links. However, in Bangladesh, bandwidth is being provided through submarine cables by the International Internet Gateway (IIG), which can indeed be shut down"
If the Press Secretary's statement is true, then the arrival of Starlink will also carry huge political significance. So, how could access to Starlink redefine internet connectivity in Bangladesh?
Experts believe that it could bring revolutionary changes to Bangladesh's education, healthcare, business, and disaster management sectors.
"Starlink's high-speed internet will offer more than just internet access— it will offer a lifeline, a pathway to education, economic growth, and social inclusion. It can bridge the digital divide, empowering women and indigenous communities through online training, e-commerce, and digital platforms," Mustafa Mahmud Hussain, a telecom and technology analyst, told The Business Standard.
However, he disagreed with the statement that Starlink would make it impossible to shut down the internet in the country.
"If there were no gateway in Bangladesh, it wouldn't be possible to shut it down—just like in Ukraine, where the internet is provided from above. They have inter-satellite links. However, in Bangladesh, bandwidth is being provided through submarine cables by the International Internet Gateway (IIG), which can indeed be shut down," he explained.
He also mentions that the laws in Bangladesh are such that the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC) and Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) can tap into every communication.
"The biggest advantage of Starlink will be in our social development. It will create an additional channel, giving us an alternative option. It can ensure reliable communication in remote areas and during disasters," said Prof Dr BM Mainul Hossain, Director of the Institute of Information Technology (IIT) at Dhaka University.
"It's somewhat like our satellite TV system— while cable connections exist, Akash serves as a backup support. In areas where cable TV hasn't reached, Akash has made it possible to provide access," he added.
Regarding the government's ability to shut down the internet, the professor said, "It entirely depends on the agreement between the Bangladesh government and Starlink. The current gateways in use are under government control, and my understanding is that Starlink will be no exception. Even if not technologically, there should be ways to interfere in different ways, such as for surveillance. Then again, what matters most is what the agreement entails."
Another point is that if Starlink cannot be shut down, local ISPs will question why theirs can be. This could lead to business conflicts.
A key point to consider is Starlink's pricing. A service being available does not necessarily mean it is accessible to all; it also needs to be affordable.
The professor mentioned that the main drawback of Starlink to Bangladeshi people could be its high cost. The business feasibility aspect is still a matter of consideration.
But it is also true that there are scopes to reduce its cost. Starlink is now cheaper than leading internet providers in some African countries. In Ghana, Starlink is half the price of the local ISP. In Kenya, its affordable user kits and monthly plans starting at just $10 have made high-speed connectivity accessible to thousands.
Mustafa Mahmud Hussain noted that successful implementation requires coordinated efforts from all stakeholders, considering costs, policies, and other factors. "Cost reduction strategies, such as subsidies, group buying, and micro-loans, will make access more affordable for all," he concluded.
Starlink will hold significant political importance if it puts an end to internet shutdowns. However, setting that discussion aside, we should primarily focus on the economic and social development aspect for now.
Zero digital divide has been a far cry for a long time, and Starlink could be a game changer.
