State-owned telecom operator Teletalk is planning a Tk 50 crore network expansion project to provide 4G services to the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar camps. The project is currently awaiting approval from the Ministry of Telecommunications.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.3 million Rohingyas in camps across Ukhiya and Teknaf, with around 350,000 mobile phone users in these camps. Currently, Rohingya residents are using SIM cards obtained through Myanmar nationals and locals, creating challenges for proper mobile connectivity and service management.
To address this issue, Teletalk has proposed the ‘4G Mobile Broadband Network Expansion’ project, which includes the installation of 33 new towers across the camps in areas such as Kutupalong, Hakimpara, Jamtali, Unchiprang, Samlapur, Chakmarkul, and Leda. The network expansion will ensure uninterrupted coverage in both the camps and the surrounding roads. The estimated cost of this 12-month project is Tk 50 crore, funded by Teletalk’s social responsibility fund.
The proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Telecommunications for approval. However, the ministry has advised Teletalk to seek permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs before proceeding with selling SIM cards to the Rohingyas. The Ministry of Home Affairs was contacted by Teletalk on November 19 last year to request permission for SIM registration, but no comments were made by Teletalk officials on the matter.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has noted that Teletalk will need to adhere to the existing policy for establishing towers in border areas. BTRC Chairman, Major General (retd) Emdad ul Bari, highlighted that since the Rohingyas do not have official identity cards, the government will determine how network services and SIM cards will be provided. This decision will be critical for the successful implementation of the network expansion.
Teletalk has mentioned that, should the project move forward, other telecom operators will be able to share the newly installed towers to extend network services in the region.
