SpaceX VP Dreyer says Starlink ‘technical launch’ in Bangladesh likely in May

Yunus and Dreyer discuss the progress of the arrival of satellite internet service on the sidelines of the Earthna Summit

Lauren Dreyer, vice-president for global engagement at SpaceX, has told Chief Advisor Muhammad Yununs that the Starlink satellite internet service could see a “technical launch” in Bangladesh within May.

In a discussion on the sidelines of the Earthna Summit in Doha, they talked about the final stages of the collaboration that is set to bring SpaceX satellite services to Bangladesh, the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha quoted Chief Advisor's Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir as saying on Wednesday.

Dreyer, who has worked alongside billionaire Elon Musk for the past two decades, expressed positivity about the partnership's progress.

"We're very close to the finish line. I've asked my team to be fully ready for a technical launch by May," she said.

Yunus conveyed the excitement of the nation surrounding the development.

"It's big news in Bangladesh. People are counting down the days," he told Dreyer. "And when the time comes, it has to be a big celebration."

The collaboration is expected to start with a technical rollout before moving to full deployment, pending the resolution of a few final issues.

PayPal, which was also founded by Elon Musk, is also being explored to support digital transactions related to SpaceX's operations in Bangladesh.

"From the outset, this has been one of the most streamlined and well-organised initiatives we've been part of," said Lauren Dreyer to Yunus.