High-speed satellite internet is featured at Bangladesh Investment Summit
Trial Launch at Investment Summit
Elon Musk-owned SpaceX’s satellite network service Starlink launched its trial in Bangladesh. It started the trial on Wednesday at the ongoing Bangladesh Investment Summit at Intercontinental Hotel, Dhaka. Visitors were able to experience high-speed internet on their devices using the QR code at the stall of the Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL).
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Customers get excellent speeds
Zahidur Rabbi, who is among the summit participants, reported to Prothom Alo that he tested the service using Fast.com and measured 170 Mbps to 220 Mbps speed. He had his source of the internet connection as Starlink Malaysian Internet Infrastructure Division (IID). He noted that there were at least 45 people who were simultaneously connected, everyone eagerly testing out the satellite internet.
Devices on Display: Starlink
Their devices, including receivers and other pieces of hardware, were also made available at the BSCL stall. Tech supporter Zarif Fayyaz mentioned that while it was exciting to be able to experience the service, no word on availability at home or pricing has been announced as yet.
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Approval Sought, Complete Launch Pending
Starlink received the investment approval of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority on March 29. It has 90 working days before it can begin operations. There are speculations about full launch as soon as they receive final approvals. In neighboring Bhutan, Starlink is offering fixed residential broadband at 4,200 ngultrum per month—about BDT 5,800.
