Page 103 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2025

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Starlink Officially Launches in

Bangladesh

In a major development for the internet sector, SpaceX’s
satellite internet service, Starlink, officially began its operations
in Bangladesh on May 20. The announcement was made via
Starlink's official X (formerly Twitter) page, confirming the launch
of Starlink's services in the country. "We have been informed of the
launch, and now it’s official. Starlink will initially offer two packages
for residential users: Starlink Residence, priced at Tk6,000 per
month, and Residence Lite, priced at Tk4,200 per month. A one-
time setup cost of Tk47,000 is required for installation," said Faiz
Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser. The two
packages promise unlimited data usage with speeds reaching
up to 300 Mbps, catering to users looking for high-speed internet
in areas where traditional broadband options have yet to reach.
Starlink’s entry into Bangladesh comes as a solution to ensure
uninterrupted, high-speed internet across the nation, particularly
benefiting businesses, NGOs, freelancers, and entrepreneurs.
“This service creates a sustainable alternative for premium
customers to access high-quality internet services. Additionally, it
will empower businesses to expand into areas lacking high-speed
connectivity,” Taiyeb added. The interim government has approved
Starlink’s entry as a non-geostationary orbit satellite internet
provider. This move aims to ensure internet connectivity remains
intact during times of political unrest, following disruptions last
year when the government temporarily suspended internet access
during protests. Starlink’s operations in Bangladesh may mark a
new chapter in ensuring internet resilience, opening doors for
users who demand uninterrupted, high-speed connectivity, even in
politically volatile times.

AST SpaceMobile scores extra $100M financing

AST SpaceMobile secured $100 million in non-dilutive equipment over a period of up to nine months announced in May appear to
financing from business development company Trinity Capital to have hit a snag. AST SpaceMobile used SpaceX to launch its first
support its manufacturing and network deployment plans for 2025 five birds in 2024 but later inked a multi-year agreement with Blue
and 2026. Non-dilutive financing pumps additional funding into AST Origin to use its New Glenn rocket for some of its satellites. Ars
SpaceMobile without a requirement to sell new shares or a stake in Technica reported earlier Blue Origin’s plan to launch its New Glenn
the business. CFO Andrew Johnson stated it is “the first such type rocket next month was pushed back to September or October and
of financing agreement for the company and reflects our stage may not be available to carry AST SpaceMobile’s satellites until
of rapid growth and transition from research and development to sometime in 2026. TMF Associates president Tim Farrar told
full-scale manufacturing and network deployment”. The satellite Mobile World Live AST SpaceMobile’s cost for launching satellites
service provider issued a stock prospectus in May as it seeks would increase because it would now have to buy more room on
to raise $500 million over the next three years to broaden its SpaceX Falcon 9 (F9) rockets. “They are planning to launch only
constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Johnson previously three satellites on each F9″, he said, adding “every little bit helps”
said AST SpaceMobile estimated average capital costs including regarding the latest funding. He noted non-dilutive financing “is
direct materials and launch outlay for its constellation of more likely cheaper and more flexible” than the Export-Import Bank of
than 90 Block 2 BlueBird satellites would fall in the range of $21 the United States loan AST SpaceMobile originally sought to help
million to $23 million per satellite. Plans to conduct five launches pay for the New Glenn launches.

103 JUNE-JULY 2025