Starlink is preparing to launch its satellite internet services in Bangladesh, with an official unveiling anticipated shortly. This disclosure follows an agreement brokered between Starlink and Veon Ltd, a telecommunications firm based in Dubai.
Veon has stated that talks are ongoing to enhance its collaboration with the satellite internet provider, marking a significant progression in Starlink’s ambition to expand its global presence.
Veon, the parent corporation of Banglalink—Bangladesh’s third-largest mobile service provider—plans to implement satellite connectivity across various nations, including Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan.
Veon CEO Kaan Terzioglu commented, “It’s not solely about the conflict situation. Terrestrial networks have their restrictions. During periods of floods or energy shortages, which our markets face, we genuinely believe that markets require both space-based and terrestrial network coverage.”
He further elaborated on Veon’s extensive expansion plan, which aims to deliver telecommunications access to underserved areas in the region. This initiative may encompass several sectors, including entertainment and finance, among others.
Once the partnership with Veon is finalized, Banglalink has suggested that Starlink will be able to offer its full suite of services in Bangladesh. However, these services will not be universally available at the outset and will necessitate regulatory spectrum allocation, a procedure that can often turn out to be both complex and expensive.
Veon is also considering opportunities in emerging markets such as Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Mexico. Terzioglu remarked, “We are consistently searching for under-performing assets in these nations.”
Last month, Veon’s Ukrainian division, Kyivstar PJSC, signed a deal with Starlink to commence satellite service provisions, starting with text messaging and subsequently expanding to voice and data services. Starlink, which links consumer devices through satellites, remains in the early phases of its commercial rollout.
The development will require spectrum allocation, which is often both costly and at times difficult to secure. Nonetheless, Veon’s overarching growth strategy entails broadening telecom access to overlooked markets prior to delving into financial services and entertainment. The company is focused on future expansions into markets like Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Mexico.
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