Bangladesh is preparing to auction the 700MHz band for the first time, marking a major step toward improving nationwide mobile coverage and accelerating future 5G deployment. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has released the official guidelines for the 2026 auction, confirming that 25MHz of spectrum will be offered on 14 January 2026.
The 700MHz band—prized globally for long-range coverage and strong indoor penetration—has long been considered essential for strengthening 4G quality and enabling mass-market 5G. Five blocks of 5MHz each will be auctioned through an open-outcry process, with each block carrying a reserve price of Tk1,185 crore for a 15-year tenure. Participation is limited to the four existing operators: Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, and Teletalk.
Operators may acquire up to two blocks in the first round, with unsold blocks made available in a second round. Winning bidders must pay 10% upfront, with the balance spread across nine yearly installments. The tight timeline includes query submissions by 10 December and final applications by 21 December.
This auction comes after nearly two decades of disputes surrounding the 700MHz band. In 2007, BTRC mistakenly assigned 12MHz of this spectrum to small ISP Always On Network Bangladesh Ltd at a nominal fee—years before the band became globally designated for LTE and 5G. Although BTRC revoked the allocation in 2014, the High Court later ruled the cancellation unlawful, and the case remains pending in the Appellate Division. As a result, 20MHz of the band remains locked in litigation.
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser on posts, telecom and ICT, called the auction a long-overdue breakthrough. He highlighted that Bangladesh reduced spectrum prices by nearly 30% to encourage reinvestment in network expansion. This aligns the country with global trends that prioritize service quality over revenue-maximizing auctions.
The 700MHz band—often referred to as the “digital dividend”—can cover areas up to four times larger than 1,800MHz using the same number of towers, making it vital for improving rural connectivity. Industry analysts expect strong interest, especially from leading operators, given long-standing shortages in sub-1 GHz spectrum.
If all 25MHz sells at reserve price, the government could earn Tk5,925 crore, with the potential for higher returns depending on bidding intensity. Any unsold spectrum may later be assigned administratively or reauctioned within a year.
With guidelines now published, operators have a clear window to prepare strategies. The January auction will determine whether Bangladesh can finally unlock the full potential of affordable, high-quality nationwide mobile broadband.
