BTRC to seek clarification on Starlink's bandwidth export bid

The internet regulator has decided to seek further clarification on Starlink Services Bangladesh Ltd's bid to export unfiltered bandwidth from Bangladesh through local internet service providers before taking a decision on granting permission to the company.

When bandwidth is filtered, it means network devices such as routers, firewalls, or deep packet inspection (DPI) systems control what kind of data can pass through a connection.

Such filtering can block websites, restrict applications, or slow specific traffic, allowing governments or operators to monitor, prioritise, or censor online content.

In contrast, unfiltered bandwidth means unrestricted data transmission that is not subject to such controls.

According to official documents of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), it must be ensured that the exported data will not serve Bangladeshi customers or foreigners residing in Bangladesh.

The proposed export must be strictly limited to serving Starlink's foreign customers in neighbouring countries.

Starlink has applied to use international private leased circuit (IPLC) connections, which are dedicated international data links that allow direct transmissions between Bangladesh and other countries.

Alongside that, Starlink requested access to unfiltered IP transit from local operators, enabling it to deliver unrestricted internet services to its customers abroad.

As per the BTRC documents, Starlink must also demonstrate a clear technical mechanism that separates domestic and foreign data traffic.

The regulator requires that a monitoring tool be in place, allowing the BTRC to independently verify such data segregation in real time.

The commission also instructed its relevant departments to carefully review Starlink's request for IPLC use, taking into account the technical, legal, and regulatory implications before any final approval is granted.

Earlier, on August 13, Starlink applied for permission to commercially use IPLC connections and obtain unfiltered IP transit from local operators to serve foreign customers in neighbouring countries.

Technology expert Sumon Ahmed Sabir told The Daily Star that if approved, this setup would allow Starlink to use Bangladesh as a regional data hub, enabling local companies to earn foreign currency.

He said no country would allow bandwidth that has been filtered by another country.

"For instance, Bangladesh gets bandwidth from Singapore. If the Singapore government filtered it, Bangladesh wouldn't allow such bandwidth to enter the country," he explained.

"Similarly, if Starlink wants to supply bandwidth through Bangladesh to Nepal or Bhutan, those countries will not accept filtered bandwidth," said Sabir.

However, the BTRC's conditions are legitimate, and Starlink's intention is to supply this unfiltered internet traffic for users in other countries, he said.

According to the BTRC documents, Starlink has already submitted a technical diagram showing how Bangladeshi and foreign customer data would be routed separately.

However, upon review, the commission found that further consultation was needed with its Legal and Licensing Division, as the current non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) licence framework does not explicitly allow commercial IPLC use or cross-border data services.

During a recent commission meeting, the BTRC also discussed Starlink's operational progress following a field inspection and several exchanges of letters with the company's local subsidiary.

The inspection, conducted on September 7 at Starlink's registered office in Dhaka, revealed no visible administrative or technical setup at the location.

In response, Starlink informed the regulator on October 14 that it had already commenced operations on August 8 and established three ground stations (gateways)—two in Kaliakoir and one each in Jashore and Rajshahi.

Additional gateways are planned in Syedpur, Cox's Bazar, Sylhet, and Cumilla.

Starlink's latest report to the BTRC says it is currently sourcing 80 Gbps of bandwidth from local international internet gateway operators but using only 30 Gbps.

The company's gateway and points of presence (PoP) backbone capacity stand at 400 Gbps.