Space technology approval update: Starlink given the green light in Bangladesh; Pakistan is yet to decide.
Let's Break It Down:
The Bangladeshi government has given the green light to SpaceX's Starlink, the satellite internet service that shines a digital connection to far-flung locations, to offer its satellite internet services in the country. According to The Business Standard, the country's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, in a move on April 28, made this decision, making Bangladesh the second South Asian nation, following Sri Lanka, to leap on the Starlink bandwagon.
Under the directive of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), who last month issued the "Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) Satellite Services Operator in Bangladesh" licensing guidelines, Starlink Services Bangladesh submitted its application for the NGSO license at the start of April. Following this, in April, the BTRC bestowed the initial approval for the Starlink operation.
Tech mogul Elon Musk, SpaceX's owner, and Muhammad Yunus had earlier this year discussed the prospects of Starlink service gracing Bangladeshi skies. They highlighted the potential benefits for "Bangadeshi kids with a zest for entrepreneurship, remote rural folk, and underprivileged women" as mentioned in Yunus' media office statement.
Meanwhile, Pakistan, home to one of the world's most significant freelancing communities, is still awaiting Starlink's grand entrance. Despite Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja's prediction that the licensing process for Starlink would be wrapped up soon, a definitive date for the launch remains elusive. She stated that once the license is issued, Starlink will commence installation in Pakistan, with services expected from November 2025.
In March, Ice-land approved provisional registration for Starlink, paving the way for its satellite-based internet services in the country. But a permanent operational license is yet to be handed over by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority due to the requirement for full adherence to regulations and compliance with all stipulations.
China’s Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) is also in the race for a license, hinting at a competitive satellite internet market in the country. Meanwhile, delays in Pakistan's entry to the Starlink party arise from the country's cautious approach towards new satellite technology, especially when it comes to safety measures in border regions.
- Starlink Services Bangladesh, under the licensing guidelines issued by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), submitted its application for the Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) license in early April.
- The Bangladeshi government, with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the helm, has shown interest in the potential benefits of Starlink's satellite internet services for entrepreneurial Bangladeshi children, rural communities, and underprivileged women.
- In contrast, Pakistan, with a vast freelancing community, is yet to receive official approval for Starlink's operation, with delays expected due to cautious safety measures and adherence to regulations.
- As Pakistan navigates its way into the Starlink market, China’s Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) is also vying for a license, indicating a potentially competitive satellite internet market within the country.
