Bangladesh begins Starlink-powered D2C mobile service trial

Bangladesh has officially launched a trial of satellite-based Direct-to-Cell (D2C) mobile services in remote areas, marking a significant step toward expanding connectivity through space-based telecommunications technology.

The trial is being conducted by Banglalink using Starlink technology in Bandarban and Sandwip Island. It follows government approval for a two-month Proof of Concept (PoC) operation in areas without conventional mobile network coverage under the supervision of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

The Post and Telecommunications Division approved the trial following a proposal from the BTRC, according to an official order issued on May 12.

Under the initiative, Banglalink will test D2C mobile services in remote regions where terrestrial mobile networks are unavailable. The approval is valid for two months from the date the BTRC grants formal permission.

The ministry clarified that the trial does not permit commercial operations and does not guarantee future approval for commercial deployment of the technology.

The BTRC has been directed to submit a detailed assessment report within three months, covering technical, operational, and regulatory aspects of the trial.

According to the order, the regulator will closely monitor traffic, signalling, authentication, and spectrum usage throughout the trial period. Banglalink will also provide necessary technical information to the BTRC.

The D2C service will operate as a supplementary service under Banglalink’s mobile operator licence, with the company responsible for all trial-related operations.

For the trial, Banglalink has temporarily been allowed to use its allocated spectrum in the 1920-1925 MHz and 2110-2115 MHz bands on the Starlink network under special consideration.

However, the ministry said the temporary approval would not create any precedent regarding future spectrum ownership, transfer, or sharing.

The approval will automatically expire after the PoC period ends.

The government will also assign a temporary Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) code to Banglalink solely for the duration of the trial.

The order stated that the service must comply fully with Bangladesh’s lawful interception framework and provide technical support to law enforcement agencies when required.

Before launching the trial, Banglalink and Starlink submitted a detailed agreement to the BTRC for approval.

The ministry also specified that the D2C service can only operate in areas without existing cellular coverage. Users must automatically reconnect to conventional terrestrial networks once standard mobile coverage becomes available.

The order further emphasised that all national security, interconnection, and network infrastructure requirements must be maintained under BTRC supervision.