The geopolitics of Starlink in Bangladesh

The approval of Starlink, Elon Musk's SpaceX satellite-based internet service, in Bangladesh marks a significant step towards reducing the digital divide, especially in remote and underserved areas. 

Offering speeds of up to 220 Mbps, it has already powered major events, including the Bangladesh Investment Summit. It promises connectivity to remote villages stretching from Cox's Bazar to the Chittagong Hill Tracts. 

Approved by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in April 2025, with the endorsement of Bangladesh's Interim Government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Starlink currently operates under a 90-day bandwidth import waiver while local gateways are being established.

For millions, it offers a vital link to bridge the digital gap. 

However, along the 271-kilometre Bangladesh–Myanmar border, security experts warn that this "space internet" could facilitate smuggling, cybercrime, threats to national security, and espionage if not properly regulated.

The Bangladesh–Myanmar border, particularly along the Naf River, is a volatile region affected by the ongoing conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine State. It is home to large Rohingya refugee camps that have become hubs for organised crime, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and militant activity. 

Just across the border in Myanmar, Starlink has been co-opted by criminal syndicates running "pig-butchering" scams — deceiving victims through fake online romances to drain their savings. These scam compounds, such as KK Park near the Thai–Myanmar border, thrive in areas under junta control. 

In October 2025, Myanmar's military seized 30 Starlink receivers during a raid, detaining hundreds of forced labourers. SpaceX subsequently disabled more than 2,500 devices linked to these scams, many of which had been smuggled into Myanmar despite the ban. 

Up to 120,000 people are believed to be trapped in such "scam compounds" or "fraud factories," generating billions in illicit profits.

For Bangladesh, this shared border heightens fears of spillover — scammers could exploit Starlink to launch attacks using Bangladeshi IP addresses, evading global cyber trackers. 

The terrain of the border region — hills, rivers and forests — already aids Rohingya trafficking; adding a cyber dimension could further escalate cross-border crime. 

Recent reports suggest that Indian victims are being routed through Bangladesh to Myanmar-based scam centres, indicating emerging regional links. Without local gateways and effective monitoring (as India mandates), Starlink could intensify this spillover.

Globally, the risks associated with Starlink are well documented. 

Its close ties to the Pentagon, evident in its battlefield use in Ukraine, blur the line between civilian and military applications. Cyber threats remain persistent: hackers could hijack the network for DDoS attacks or data theft, while satellite collisions risk generating dangerous space debris. 

Outages in July and September disrupted economies from Alaska to Africa, exposing the dangers of overdependence on a single satellite network. Geopolitically, reliance on US-based infrastructure raises concerns of "digital colonialism" — where nations become tethered to American policy decisions and corporate interests.

Other countries have taken proactive measures. India, Bangladesh's neighbour, requires nine local gateways operated by Indian nationals, enforces strict data localisation, and mandates lawful interception access — delaying full rollout until 2026. 

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states restrict Starlink use to the aviation and maritime sectors to safeguard critical infrastructure. Chad conducts data protection audits to ensure national security compliance. Sri Lanka has paused approvals over sovereignty concerns. Meanwhile, Europe is countering Starlink's dominance through a 2027 satellite consortium led by Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo.

Myanmar's response, by contrast, is increasingly chaotic. Despite banning Starlink, the military continues to profit from scam taxes and only intervenes selectively, as demonstrated by the KK Park raid. For Bangladesh, this instability serves as a stark warning. Without firm regulation, uncontrolled Starlink operations could fuel cross-border crime, damage 

Bangladesh's international reputation, and even invite sanctions. The risk of espionage is also rising — foreign powers could intercept data transmitted through the network. Information routed to US servers might breach domestic privacy laws and expose users to hacking. Moreover, service outages could disrupt remittances and online commerce in remote regions.

To prevent the misuse of Starlink and mitigate security risks — particularly along the Bangladesh–Myanmar border — Bangladesh should adopt a multi-layered strategy based on international best practices. The government could mandate that local gateway stations, operated by Bangladeshi nationals, store data domestically, following India's example. 

Mandatory cybersecurity audits and real-time monitoring of Starlink traffic, as practised in Chad, would help detect illegal activities such as online scams. Providing lawful interception capabilities for authorities, again modelled on India's approach, would help reduce espionage threats. 

Additionally, Bangladesh might employ geofencing to disable Starlink signals in high-risk border areas, mirroring SpaceX's remote shutdowns in Myanmar. Strengthening cooperation with Interpol and neighbouring countries such as India and Thailand to track smuggled terminals and trafficked individuals would further enhance national security and safeguard sovereignty.

"Bangladesh's existing regulatory frameworks are struggling to keep pace with the rapid advancements in satellite technology," warns Bhaskar Chakravorti, Dean of Global Business at The Fletcher School, Tufts University, emphasising the need for "robust data protection laws, regulatory preparedness, [and] cybersecurity safeguards" to prevent sovereignty erosion. 

As Starlink's signals reach Bangladeshi skies, Dhaka must respond — learning from India and Europe — to ensure this digital leap does not open a Pandora's box along the Naf River.

Sketch: TBS

Abul Hasnat is an IT consultant and cybersecurity expert with over 30 years of industry experience. He specialises in software architecture, cybersecurity, and corporate IT solutions. Based in London, Abul holds an MSc in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Business Standard.