The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has approved a Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) licence for Bangla Phone Ltd, marking the first such licence issued in the country in 11 years. The licence, which is primarily for building and managing a nationwide fibre-optic transmission network, will allow Bangla Phone to share infrastructure with telecom operators and internet service providers.
Bangla Phone initially applied for the licence in 2011, but it was rejected by the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology. After years of legal proceedings and multiple reapplications, the company’s request was reviewed by a BTRC committee in 2025, which recommended approval due to the country’s inadequate transmission networks and the company’s existing infrastructure.
Once the licence is granted by the ministry, Bangla Phone’s entry into the telecom sector could significantly enhance broadband access and reduce service costs. Currently, six NTTN operators cover 148,000 kilometers with optical fibre, with Bangla Phone contributing over 13,000 kilometers to the network. The BTRC’s decision reflects a growing call for an efficient, cost-effective expansion of telecom infrastructure across the country.
