Bangladesh to Secure Starlink Deal for Nationwide Internet Access

Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, announced on Tuesday that the country expects to finalize a commercial agreement with SpaceX’s satellite internet network, Starlink, within three months. The deal aims to provide reliable, uninterrupted internet services across the South Asian nation, ensuring that future political upheavals will not disrupt access.

Yunus, who took charge of Bangladesh’s government in August following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, highlighted that Starlink’s satellite-based technology would make it impossible for any government to block internet access or restrict citizens from the digital world. This comes after widespread protests in July 2024, during which authorities suspended internet and text messaging services across the country.

“If Starlink is launched, no government will have the ability to shut down internet access or lock citizens out of the digital world,” Yunus stated in a televised speech ahead of Independence Day. He also noted that inflation remains the government’s top challenge, though it had dropped to 9.32% in February, the lowest in 22 months, with hopes of reducing it below 8% by June.

Yunus confirmed that national elections will be held between December 2025 and June 2026, aiming for the most free, fair, and acceptable election in Bangladesh’s history.