Starlink has finally arrived, but who is it actually for?

Infographic: TBS

Following months of hype, Elon Musk's internet-from-space venture Starlink is finally here in Bangladesh. 

But the announcement, made on Tuesday in a Facebook post by Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser at the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology, sparked a wave of questions among netizens. 

And perhaps the most pressing of these questions is about Starlink's primary customer base in Bangladesh. 

The service is offering two types of connections — Residential and Roam — in Bangladesh. Residential connection is meant for those using the internet from one specific location, while Roam is for those who are always on the go. 

The Residential connection itself has two packages — Starlink Residential and Residential Lite. The monthly subscription fees are Tk6,000 and Tk4,200, respectively. However, there will be a one-time investment of Tk47,000 for equipment setup. It comes with a satellite dish, its mounting tripod, Wi-Fi router, and all necessary cables. 

There is also a fits-in-your-backpack type compact Starlink Mini Kit, priced at Tk24,000. But there will be some speed and volume limitations and it has higher monthly fees.

The pricing hints that Starlink is not primarily intended for individual use. Its benefits lie in business and economic aspects.

Most reliable ISPs in Dhaka and nearby cities already offer stable 500 Mbps fibre broadband packages at a much lower cost than what Starlink demands.

The Residential Lite plan offers speeds of up to 100 Mbps, while the full Residential package delivers around 250–300 Mbps.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb himself acknowledged in his post that Starlink is expensive but highlighted that this creates a sustainable alternative for "premium customers" to access high-quality and high-speed internet services.

There will be no speed or data limits. Users will be able to enjoy unlimited data at speeds of up to 300 Mbps. But if shared by many, the speed will drop. So, the actual user experience remains to be seen.

"For now, it should be considered primarily for business use. Besides that, the wealthy, luxury seekers, or freelancers might find it a reliable way to access the internet. People can buy and share in an apartment. However, there's a possibility that the price will come down further in the future," commented Mustafa Mahmud Hussain, a telecom and technology analyst.

"We have to consider cost reduction strategies — such as subsidies, group buying, and micro-loans, which will make access more affordable for all," he added.

Starlink's potential benefits are better suited for broader social development, according to experts, who believe that it could bring revolutionary changes to Bangladesh's education, healthcare, business, and disaster management sectors.

"The biggest advantage of Starlink will be for social development. It will create an additional channel, giving us an alternative option. It can ensure reliable communication in remote areas and during disasters," Prof Dr BM Mainul Hossain, director of the Institute of Information Technology (IIT) at Dhaka University, told TBS earlier.

"Its 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 added.

Starlink would provide a reliable internet option in areas where fibre connectivity is unavailable. The service could particularly benefit NGOs, freelancers, and businesses in remote regions.

It can open up opportunities for shared Wi-Fi businesses in villages and small towns. Thousands of mobile towers in the country provide low-quality internet service to users with just 300 Mbps. A single Starlink setup box can replace that. If an entrepreneur or multiple entrepreneurs form a fund of Tk47,000, they will be able to buy an internet setup box to start their business.

In fact, a new generation of entrepreneurs could be created as WiFi ladies following the 'phone lady concept' of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, according to Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb. If financial institutions or NGOs want, they can give special loans only to rural women through which they can sell internet services with Starlink.

"We are also planning to work on a financial package for those who will be civic service entrepreneurs," Taiyeb said at a recent press conference.

Last but not least, Starlink opens up a new window for taxation and revenue generation.

Starlink has to pay $1 to the Bangladesh government in each connection monthly to remain tax and VAT compliant. Starlink will pay the government a yearly fee of $30,000 for running its services in the country.

Among our neighbouring countries, Starlink services are officially available in Bhutan, launched in February this year. However, adoption is currently limited due to the absence of a local payment gateway, requiring users to pay in USD. Efforts are underway to integrate local currency payments, which will likely boost accessibility once implemented.

In Sri Lanka, Starlink received a licence to operate in August 2024, following legislative amendments to accommodate satellite internet services. Despite this, the service has not yet commenced due to delays in importing necessary user equipment and ongoing discussions regarding national security concerns, specifically the government's requirement for legal interception capabilities. 

In India, it is on the verge of receiving final regulatory approval, while Nepal is also actively working to secure approval for its rollout.