Starlink Asks Bangladesh for Permission to Export Internet Bandwidth

Starlink, the satellite-based internet service provider founded by Elon Musk, has begun its operations in Bangladesh with a trial service. Image: Mariia Shalabaieva/Unsplash

Starlink has sought approval from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to supply bandwidth from Bangladesh to neighbouring countries.In a letter sent recently, the US-based satellite internet provider requested permission for the commercial use of International Private Leased Circuit (IPLC) and unfiltered IP to provide services outside Bangladesh, according to BTRC documents seen by The Daily Star.

An IPLC is a dedicated communication line linking two countries for secure, high-capacity data transfer. Unfiltered IP refers to direct, unrestricted internet routes that bypass national filtering, monitoring, and lawful interception.

"We have received the letter from Starlink in this regard. We are assessing it," said Brig Gen Shafiul Azam Parvez, director general of engineering and operations at the BTRC."The final decision on approving Starlink to provide such a service will be taken if the government gives the green light," he added.

Starlink Services Bangladesh Ltd has already completed the installation of four local gateways across the country.

Two have been set up at the hi-tech park in Gazipur, while the others are located in Rajshahi and Jashore, according to recent BTRC inspections.Although regulators could not confirm full functionality due to the absence of Starlink representatives during site visits, local partners informed officials that commercial traffic began flowing through the Kaliakair gateways from August 9 and through the Rajshahi and Jashore gateways from August 20.

Starlink has developed 80 Gbps capacity at its Kaliakair gateways, 400 Gbps in Jashore, and another 400 Gbps in Rajshahi.

Industry insiders see Starlink's move as a bid to establish itself as a regional service provider, connecting Bangladesh with India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.

Starlink was awarded its operating licence in Bangladesh in April this year and began operations in May. The company has also secured India's Unified Licence and space regulator clearance, with rollout imminent pending spectrum and infrastructure setup.

In Nepal, it has already submitted a proposal to operate, while Bhutan launched Starlink in February. In Myanmar, Starlink remains banned but is widely smuggled into blackout zones.

Bangladesh's current bandwidth consumption stands at 8,500 Gbps, of which about 4,000 Gbps is supplied by Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company PLC through undersea cables, while the rest comes from India via landline connections.

Currently, the submarine cable company, through another state-run firm, Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd, exports 10 Gbps of bandwidth to northeast India.

Nepal ministers cling to army chopper ropes to flee ‘Gen Z’ protesters’ fury

A video from Nepal being circulated widely captured a rescue basket carrying people over a Kathmandu hotel as smoke billowed in the background.

Dramatic visuals from unrest-hit Nepal showed government ministers and their families clinging to the sling of an army helicopter as they were evacuated from violent mobs.

Ministers in Nepal airlifted by army chopper ropes to escape angry protesters(X/@Osint613) 

Army helicopters were deployed to airlift officials to safety, with one video being circulated widely on social media capturing a rescue basket carrying ministers over a Kathmandu hotel as smoke billowed in the background. People screamed at the chopper as it kept flying away.

Since the violent protests hit the streets of Nepal, several distressing videos have emerged online. In one video, finance minister Bishnu Paudel was seen being chased through a street and kicked by protesters.

HT.com could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

Another clip showed foreign affairs inister Arzu Rana Deuba and her husband, former prime minister and Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, being attacked at their Kathmandu home.

Parliament torched

On Tuesday, tens of thousands of demonstrators—largely from the “Gen Z” movement—stormed the capital, vandalizing homes of government leaders and setting the Parliament building ablaze.

The unrest erupted after the government briefly banned social media platforms, a move that intensified public anger already fueled by corruption allegations.

As violence spread, Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli announced his resignation. The president accepted it, appointing him caretaker until a new leader is chosen, though his authority and whereabouts remain unclear.

President Ram Chandra Poudel appealed to protesters to “engage in discussions to find a peaceful resolution and stop further escalation.”

Protesters push for interim leader

Nepal’s former chief justice, Sushila Karki, emerged as a top choice for interim prime minister, according to representatives of the Gen Z movement. Karki, 73, told AFP that “experts need to come together to figure out the way forward” and that “the parliament still stands.”

However, her nomination has sparked debate. Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, and former electricity board CEO Kulman Ghising are among the names being considered by protesting Gen Z groups.