Tech billionaire Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, is set to begin its trial run in Bangladesh on April 9.
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), announced the trial at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy on Sunday.
Starlink’s demo-test will take place at a city hotel on the opening day of the International Investment Conference. The event’s inauguration ceremony will be streamed live on social media using Starlink’s network.
“We are collaborating with multiple organisations on Starlink,” Harun said. “April 9 will be a test or demo day for us.”
The government plans to fully implement Starlink’s services within 90 days of the trial. Asked whether Elon Musk would attend the conference, Harun said no plans had been made for his visit. “If he were coming, everyone would already know. This is just a trial run. When the service is launched fully, the government will try to invite him.”
The Dhaka International Investment Conference, running from April 7 to April 10, aims to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Bangladesh. While the event begins two days earlier, its formal inauguration is set for April 9, with Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus presiding over the ceremony.
Harun said the conference will focus on investment opportunities in five key sectors: renewable energy, the digital economy, garments and textiles, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and agro-processing. “Each topic will be discussed in dedicated sessions with business representatives from various countries,” he added.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
