FROM PAGE B1

“We are working on an agreement with Starlink to bring direct-to-cell connectivity to Bangladesh,” a Banglalink official said. “This technology could greatly improve coverage, especially in underserved and disaster-prone areas.”

CHALLENGES FOR BANGLALINK IN THE MARKET

The development comes as Banglalink struggles to strengthen its market position, despite conducting business in the country for over two decades and investing around $2.5 billion.

Bangladesh’s third-largest telecom operator has yet to reap profits, while market leader Grameenphone continues to dominate earnings, and Robi Axiata has started turning profitable in recent years.

Banglalink serves about 3.75 crore subscribers, holding a 20.18 percent market share, but has lost roughly 60 lakh users over the past three years.

According to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission data, as of December 2025, Grameenphone led the market with 8.41 crore subscribers (45.27 percent), followed by Robi Axiata with 5.74 crore subscribers (30.86 percent) and state-owned Teletalk Bangladesh with 68 lakh subscribers (3.66 percent).

Despite these challenges, Terzioglu has repeatedly told The Daily Star that Veon will continue investing in Bangladesh, in both telecommunications and the digital sector.

Veon recently partnered with Bangladeshi conglomerate Square and applied for a digital banking licence, following the example of Malaysia’s Axiata, which holds a majority stake in Robi Axiata.

Industry experts say rolling out satellite-to-phone services in Bangladesh would face major hurdles due to strict centralised telecom regulations.

Current rules limit public use of satellite telephony, require traffic to pass through local gateways, and impose conditions on lawful interception, shutdown authority, spectrum licensing, and device approval.

The framework also protects existing mobile operators with heavy licensing requirements, creating significant barriers.

However, experts add that the service could revolutionise connectivity in Bangladesh, particularly in rural and disaster-prone coastal areas, where floods and cyclones often cut off networks, leaving entire regions disconnected for days.