Govt cuts 700 MHz spectrum price by 10%
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.
27 November 2025, 18:00 PM
Call drops, patchy internet frustrate Dhaka residents
Subscribers of all major operators report the same experience, despite the "reliable 4G" and "5G-ready" claims in telecom marketing
23 November 2025, 19:56 PM
BTRC inspection exposes gap between 4G promise and reality
20 November 2025, 18:00 PM
Business
Robi faces complaints from GP, Banglalink over Airtel branding
The two operators are demanding a formal investigation
18 November 2025, 15:28 PM
Digital payments lose ground to cash despite growth in volume: BB
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.
17 November 2025, 18:00 PM
GSMA flags risks in draft telecom licensing rules
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.
15 November 2025, 18:49 PM
Govt move to reserve 10 MHz for Teletalk raises concerns
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.
13 November 2025, 18:00 PM
Fix tax rates for illegal phones before NEIR launch
BTRC writes to tax authority
10 November 2025, 18:00 PM
Innovation was his driving force
To lead a business to new heights, you need a deep-rooted philosophy of innovation and a willingness to face unforeseen challenges: This may sound like an adage, but it best describes business tycoon Sk. Bashir Uddin.
26 October 2024, 18:00 PM
TV channels up in arms over govt’s TRP system
On August 5 and 6, several TV channels including ATN News, Asian TV and Bijoy TV went off air as an angry mob vandalised its broadcasting centres.
26 October 2024, 01:43 AM
BTRC fines top three mobile operators Tk 15 lakh
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has decided to impose a fine of Tk 15 lakh on Grameenphone, Robi and Banglalink for breaching industry regulations.
19 October 2024, 18:00 PM
Telcos’ service falls short of BTRC standard
Mobile operators performed poorly in the telecom regulator’s latest drive test to assess service quality, reinforcing users’ claims of experiencing substandard service.
2 October 2024, 18:47 PM
Expanding into glass production was a logical step
To meet the rising demand for basic and high-quality glass in Bangladesh’s construction sector, AkijBashir Group recently began production at a sprawling plant in Habiganj’s Madhabpur upazila, placing emphasis on more transparent and pure products to position itself as a key player in the rapidly growing market.
30 September 2024, 18:00 PM
BTRC’s independence eroded over the years
Restoring the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s (BTRC’s) independence by reverting to the original legal framework should be a priority for reform, according to its new chairman Major General (retd) Emdad Ul Bari.
19 September 2024, 18:00 PM
Banglalink’s tower sales: BTRC’s negligence deprives state coffers of Tk 69 crore
The state coffer has been deprived of Tk 69 crore for the telecom regulator’s failure to collect the 5.5 percent of the sales price of Summit Tower’s acquisition of Banglalink’s 2,000 mobile towers.
19 September 2024, 01:15 AM
Bangabandhu-1 satellite: Another white elephant
The Bangabandhu-1 satellite, one of the marquee projects of the Awami League government, has turned into a financial black hole, costing the state coffer upwards of Tk 1,500 crore.
15 September 2024, 01:30 AM
Act fast to address labour unrest
Prompt steps are needed to address the workers’ demands and quell the ongoing labour unrest, said Socialist Labour Front President Razekuzzaman Ratan.
14 September 2024, 18:00 PM
Citycell wants licence reinstatement
Citycell, the country’s first mobile operator which has not been operational since 2016, has sent a letter to the telecom regulator recently seeking the reinstatement of its licence.
10 September 2024, 18:00 PM
BTRC’s curious U-turn on Summit Communications
The telecom regulator has walked back on its decision just two months ago to allow Summit Communications to transfer its shares without any fee, in a development that raises questions about the extent of benefits the company received during the 15 years of the previous Awami League government.
2 September 2024, 18:00 PM
Mobile subscriber numbers drop significantly in July
The number of mobile subscribers in Bangladesh has dropped significantly in July, as all the operators lost customers. .The overall number of mobile subscribers is calculated based on the purchase of new SIMs (subscriber identity modules) minus the number of SIMs whose ownership have beco
31 August 2024, 18:00 PM
Handset production rises, but uncertainty looms large
Local production of handsets saw a significant increase in the first half of the year, but manufacturers continue to face challenges due to reduced demand for high-end smartphones.
28 August 2024, 18:00 PM
Mobile service during disasters: No contingency system despite available funds
The telecom ministry has failed to establish a National Emergency Telecommunication System (NETS) to maintain telecommunication and internet services during disasters despite starting the initiative almost two years ago.
25 August 2024, 18:00 PM
BB appoints administrator at Nagad
The Bangladesh Bank yesterday appointed an administrator to Nagad after one too many allegations of irregularities in the mobile financial service provider’s operations and dealings.
21 August 2024, 18:00 PM
Internet blackout had no legal basis
No legislation explicitly permits the internet blackout enforced by the Sheikh Hasina government to quash protests centring the quota reform movement.
19 August 2024, 18:00 PM
GP, Robi get 20MHz of spectrum each to improve service
Grameenphone and Robi, the top two mobile network operators in Bangladesh, have each secured a spectrum allocation of 20 megahertz (MHz) to boost the quality of their services.
15 August 2024, 18:00 PM
What you need to know about internet crackdown in Bangladesh
The Daily Star presents the whole situation on a chronological order
13 August 2024, 12:43 PM
ICT industry sees hope on the horizon
ICT entrepreneurs in Bangladesh, who faced uncertainties due to an internet blackout enforced by the government to suppress protests in recent weeks, are now brimming with hope following the fall of the dictatorial Sheikh Hasina-led government.
8 August 2024, 18:00 PM
IT firms suffer low productivity amid slow internet
Although broadband and mobile internet is again available in the country, most software, IT service and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies are experiencing significant productivity losses due to insufficient internet speeds.
31 July 2024, 18:00 PM