MAHMUDUL HASAN

Banglalink and Elon Musk’s SpaceX have jointly applied to the telecom regulator in Bangladesh to launch trials of telecom services through satellite, allowing users’ smartphones to connect directly to satellites through a mobile operator’s network.

In a recent letter seen by The Daily Star, the companies sought approval from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for an initial 60-day test and trial period to integrate satellite connectivity into Banglalink’s network.

“This system will provide supplemental mobile connectivity using over 650 Starlink Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites, which initially will deliver SMS and, at a later stage, light-data capabilities to Banglalink subscribers, particularly during periods when terrestrial networks are damaged or unavailable,” the letter said.

It said the commercial arrangement will integrate Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity into Banglalink’s mobile network in Bangladesh.

The letter describes the initiative as a first-of-its-kind partnership in Bangladesh aimed at expanding connectivity, particularly in disaster-prone and remote areas where conventional terrestrial networks are unavailable.

The companies said the proposed service would help address long-standing coverage gaps.

This development comes after Kaan Terzioglu, chief executive officer of Veon, told The Daily Star last month that the company aims to replicate the technology it is already using in Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

To prepare for a commercial rollout, The