Mahmudul Hasan

The government has approved a 10 percent reduction in the price of the 700 MHz frequency band, often called the “golden spectrum” for mobile networks, as the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) prepares for an auction.

Subscribers of all major operators report the same experience, despite the "reliable 4G" and "5G-ready" claims in telecom marketing

A recent inspection by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has exposed deficiencies in mobile network services, highlighting a gap between operators’ claims of nationwide 4G coverage and the reality on the ground.

The two operators are demanding a formal investigation

While digital transactions — covering payments through mobile wallets, internet banking, and other electronic channels — grew in volume in Bangladesh in 2024, their share of total payments declined, according to the Bangladesh Payment Systems Report 2024 published by Bangladesh Bank.

The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) has raised concerns about Bangladesh’s draft telecom licensing guidelines, cautioning that several proposed conditions could deter investment, restrict market participation, and contradict the objectives of the Telecommunications Network and Licensing Policy (TNLP) 2025.

The government has decided to reserve 10 MHz of the valuable 700 MHz band exclusively for state-owned Teletalk once a pending court case is resolved, raising concerns among industry experts about underutilisation and anti-competitive effects.

BTRC writes to tax authority