<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Desk Report:- In a first for Bangladesh's coastal fishing communities, satellite internet (Starlink) has been installed aboard a fishing trawler, under a joint initiative of Shushilan LTD and the APNIC Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shushilan LTD successfully tested an internet connection aboard a fishing trawler using a Starlink Mini Kit, 70 kilometres out to sea from the BFDC point in Patharghata. The trial, conducted on September 14, was carried out with financial support from the Australia-based APNIC Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the slogan \"THE SEA BECOMES SAFER WITH INTERNET CONNECTIVITY\" solar-powered Starlink Mini Kits have been installed on three fishing trawlers as part of the initiative. Shushilan LTD says this is the first community-level effort of its kind in Bangladesh aimed at marginalized deep-sea fishermen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the project team's observations, mobile network calls and video calls were possible at various points up to about 34 kilometres from shore. Between 35 and 50 kilometres, the connection weakened considerably, allowing only 2G-level calls. Between 50 and 65 kilometres, mobile network signals appeared intermittently but calls could not be made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond 66 kilometres, no conventional mobile network was available at the test site, and the Starlink Mini Kit's standard roaming service also failed to connect. However, once the device was switched to \"Ocean Mode,\" an internet connection was established. At that point, boat owner Golam Rabbani spoke to his family via video call from the deep sea for the first time, and expressed his joy. Shushilan LTD's research team described the trial as a success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On September 13, the project formally launched the distribution of Starlink Mini Kits among fishermen. The programme included testing the kits' connectivity at sea and training boat owners and head boatmen, after which three kits were handed over. The event was attended by Shushilan LTD's researchers and officials, students from the Fisheries Department of Patuakhali Science and Technology University, and local residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On September 15, training was provided to 28 young men and women at the office of the Patharghata Upazila Fisheries Officer, where the results of the sea trial were also presented. The team outlined the service's benefits and practical limitations to the Upazila Fisheries Officer. The Starlink roaming package used in the trial costs 12,000 taka per month, with an additional charge of 252 taka per gigabyte of data for use of Ocean Mode at sea. According to the project team, this cost is difficult for middle- and lower-middle-income trawler owners to bear, posing a major challenge to the service's regular use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The project is being implemented in Patharghata Upazila over 13 months, from October 1, 2025 to October 30, 2026. Solar-powered Starlink Mini Kits have already been installed on three fishing trawlers, and two additional standard kits will be distributed within the community, enabling connectivity in the deep sea and among local residents during disasters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the project, 56 local young men and women have already been trained in two batches on disaster communication and network use. In addition, eight community-level awareness sessions have been held, and posters, leaflets and brochures distributed to spread messages on safe communication and disaster preparedness among beneficiaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The initiative aims to give deep-sea fishermen access to weather forecasts, disaster warnings, communication with their families, and fish market prices. The project team hopes this will improve fishermen's communication systems while helping to reduce disaster-related risks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Desk Report:- In a first for Bangladesh's coastal fishing communities, satellite internet (Starlink) has been installed aboard a fishing trawler, under a joint initiative of Shushilan LTD and the APNIC Foundation. Shushilan LTD successfully tested an internet connection aboard a fishing trawler using a Starlink Mini Kit, 70 kilometres out to sea from the BFDC […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":37185,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,93],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bangladesh","category-nationwide"],"yoast_head":"\n