Ctg port gets 5G spectrum for smart port trial

The internet regulator has granted the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) temporary access to 20 MHz of spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band to test a private 5G network aimed at transforming the Chattogram seaport into a smart port.

Under a decision taken at a Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) meeting, the 20 MHz spectrum in the 3780 MHz to 3800 MHz band will be provided free of charge for a three-month trial period ending on 31 August.

The CPA had earlier applied to the regulator for this allocation.

The spectrum will be used to build a private 5G network designed to modernise port operations through high-speed, secure and reliable communications.

According to BTRC application documents, the system will support port automation, remote crane operations, IoT-based logistics management, automated container handling and real-time monitoring of port activities.

BTRC technical teams will monitor and inspect spectrum use and the performance of private 5G applications throughout the trial. After completion, the CPA must submit a detailed report to the regulator on the results

The initiative is part of the “Port Modernisation and Digital Connectivity Enhancement Project” under the Ministry of Shipping.

The CPA also plans to establish a 5G long-term evolution (LTE)-based encrypted communication system within the port to improve operational security, ensure stable connectivity and strengthen data protection.

The network is expected to deliver ultra-low-latency communications for critical logistics operations across the port.

BTRC officials said private 5G networks are still an emerging technology in Bangladesh, although several developed countries already use them commercially in ports, factories, logistics hubs and utilities.

Countries including the United States, Germany and Switzerland have allocated parts of the 3.5 GHz band for private 5G use in smart ports, airports, logistics hubs and industrial automation.

Germany is a leading example, with its regulator reserving the 3.7 GHz to 3.8 GHz band for private industrial 5G networks, enabling standalone systems in ports, factories and airports.

Officials said a dedicated, CPA-controlled communication system is increasingly important given the strategic nature of port operations and the need for secure and reliable connectivity.

The proof-of-concept trial will allow authorities to test the system in a real-world environment before deciding on a permanent CPA-owned network.

As part of future spectrum planning, the BTRC is also considering reserving the upper portion of the 3.5 GHz band for private 5G use in key government institutions and sensitive infrastructure projects, including ports and smart utilities.

Under the proposal, 50 MHz between 3310 MHz and 3360 MHz may be reserved for law enforcement and security agencies, while 400 MHz would be allocated to mobile operators for commercial 5G services. A further 40 MHz between 3760 MHz and 3800 MHz would be set aside for private 5G networks.

According to the BTRC spectrum roadmap, around 460 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band is expected to be opened for international mobile telecommunications services in 2027.

The final price for 3.5 GHz spectrum in Bangladesh has not yet been fixed, although a recent auction in Pakistan set a base price of around $0.65 million per MHz.

The commission said that if spectrum prices are later set, the CPA would need to pay the required charges for the test-and-trial period before any permanent commercial allocation.

Under the approval conditions, the CPA must also obtain prior permission from the BTRC before importing or installing any radio equipment for the trial.

BTRC technical teams will monitor and inspect spectrum use and the performance of private 5G applications throughout the trial. After completion, the CPA must submit a detailed report to the regulator on the results.

The allocation was approved under the Bangladesh Telecommunication Act, 2001 (amended in 2026), which allows the commission to support the introduction, research and testing of new technologies, said BTRC Chairman Md Emdad ul Bari.

“As this spectrum band is being used globally for IoT, industry development, public infrastructure and individual use, we have allowed it on a trial basis,” he added.

He also said the new regulation will enable the commission to support experimental deployment and testing of many emerging technologies in the future.