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 Bangladesh in 11 years. The licence will enable the company to build, maintain, and manage a nationwide fibre-optic transmission network, providing shared infrastructure for telecom operators and internet service providers.
Bangla Phone had initially applied for the licence in 2011, but its application was rejected in 2014. After filing a writ petition and undergoing several reviews, the company reapplied in 2024, prompting the formation of a BTRC committee to evaluate the request. The committee highlighted the need for expanded transmission networks in remote areas and the importance of creating a more investment-friendly environment for telecom network growth.
The committee’s recommendation, backed by the BTRC decision-making body, allows Bangla Phone to potentially improve broadband access and reduce service costs in Bangladesh. Currently, there are six NTTN operators in the country, collectively covering 148,000 kilometres with optical fibre infrastructure.
Bangla Phone, operating in Bangladesh since 2004, has a fibre-optic transmission network covering over 13,000 kilometres. The company’s chairman, Amjad H Khan, emphasized that Bangladesh still lacks adequate telecom infrastructure, providing opportunities for new players to contribute to the sector’s growth.
