Banglalink Launches Starlink Satellite-to-Mobile Service in Bangladesh
Banglalink launched a Starlink-powered satellite-to-mobile service, making Bangladesh the first South Asian country to offer direct-to-device connectivity for 4G phones.
VEON Ltd. launched a satellite-to-mobile service in Bangladesh through its operator, Banglalink, utilizing Starlink technology. The deployment makes Bangladesh the first country in South Asia to provide direct-to-device satellite connectivity, enabling users with 4G phones and Banglalink SIM cards to access location services and essential applications in areas where conventional mobile towers are unavailable.
The service is designed to maintain critical communications during emergencies, prolonged power outages, and natural disasters. This launch follows a broader strategic rollout by VEON to improve digital inclusion and network resilience in emerging markets, including previous Starlink deployments via Kyivstar in Ukraine in 2025 and Beeline Kazakhstan in September 2026.
Banglalink leadership described the move as a milestone for the region, noting that the technology extends network reach beyond traditional infrastructure. VEON Group leadership emphasized that the ability to reach help during isolation or disasters can be life-saving for remote users, such as fishermen at sea.
