FE Report
Bangladesh formally began the trial run of satellite-based Direct-to-Cell (D2C) mobile services in some remote areas today, marking a major step towards expanding connectivity to hard-to-reach regions through space-based telecommunications technology.
The trial, being conducted by Banglalink using Starlink technology in Bandarban and on the Sandwip Island, follows government approval for a two-month Proof of Concept (PoC) operation in network-deprived areas under the supervision of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
The government has approved a two-month trial of satellite-based D2C mobile services by Banglalink in areas without conventional cellular network coverage.
The approval was granted by the Post and Telecommunications Division following a proposal from the BTRC, according to an official order issued on May 12.
Under the initiative, Banglalink will conduct a PoC trial for D2C services using satellite connectivity in remote areas lacking mobile network coverage.
The approval will remain valid for only two months from the date the BTRC issues the formal permission.
The ministry clarified that the trial approval would not be considered permission for commercial operations, nor would it guarantee future approval for commercial deployment of the technology.
The BTRC has been instructed to submit a detailed assessment report within three months, taking into account technical, operational, and regulatory aspects of the trial.
According to the order, BTRC will closely monitor the trial both online and offline, including traffic, signalling, authentication, and spectrum usage.
The regulator will also collect necessary technical information from Banglalink throughout the trial period.
The service will be treated as a supplementary service under Banglalink's mobile operator licence, with the operator bearing full responsibility for the trial and related operations.
As part of the trial arrangement, Banglalink will temporarily be allowed to use its allocated spectrum in the 1920-1925 MHz and 2110-2115 MHz bands on the Starlink network under special consideration.
The ministry, however, said the temporary approval would not set any precedent regarding spectrum ownership, transfer, or sharing in the future.
The permission will automatically expire once the PoC ends.
The government will also allocate a temporary Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) code to Banglalink solely for the trial period.
The order further stated that the service must remain fully compliant with the country's lawful interception framework and provide necessary technical facilities to law enforcement agencies upon request.
Before launching the trial, Banglalink and Starlink submitted a detailed agreement to the BTRC for approval.
The ministry specified that the D2C service would operate only in locations where no cellular mobile coverage exists.
Once conventional network coverage becomes available, users must automatically reconnect to terrestrial mobile networks.
The order also emphasised that all national security, interconnection, and network infrastructure-related conditions applicable to the trial must be strictly ensured under BTRC supervision.
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