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All inter-city trains will be brought under coverage of the high-speed internet services of Starlink, operated by SpaceX, under the supervision of the Bangladesh Satellite Communication Ltd and Bangladesh Railway (BR), said Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh Satellite Company Ltd (BSCL), Dr Muhammad Imadur Rahman.
The MD of the BSCL, which is the official national partner and authorised reseller of Starlink in Bangladesh, said this in an interview with the Daily Sun on Wednesday over the phone.
He said that the BSCL and the BR had exchanged letters over the issue, and the two ministries concerned are going to meet soon.
He said, “On 13 March, we launched our service in three inter-city trains of the Bangladesh Railway. We plan to include all 54 inter-city trains in the service in line with the government's commitment to internet accessibility for the people.”
Railway Director General Afzal Hossain confirmed the news on Wednesday while talking to the Daily Sun.
He said, “Banalata, Upoban, and Parjatok Express are connected with the Starlink service to ensure high-speed internet for our passengers. It is done under the initiative of the Bangladesh Satellite Company Ltd. There is no cost involved for us. If they ask us to add more trains to the service, we are ready to help them.”
Imadur said that there were some management and maintenance issues and cost issues with the service, which needed to be settled with the Ministry of Railways.
He also said that they want to establish a commercial model for private transport services.
When asked what would be the cost for providing the Starlink connection for a train and its commercial viability for the private sector, he said, “We are not concerned about cost, as our attention is on ensuring that passengers get internet services during their journey. Passengers can benefit if they want to do any work. Meanwhile, several private companies have contacted us, and we are discussing the financial issues.”
He also said, “At this moment, at least 43 stations, including Kamalapur and Hazrat Shah Jalal Airport terminals, have been brought under the internet connections under the Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Ltd, but Starlink is considered for trains as it runs through many areas where internet accessibility is very poor.”