Grameenphone has secured 10 megahertz (MHz) of spectrum in the 700MHz band, marking the first-ever allocation of this low-band frequency to a mobile operator in Bangladesh and formally opening the band for mobile broadband services nationwide.
The spectrum was awarded at the base price, generating Tk2,370 crore in revenue for the government, with the per-megahertz price fixed at Tk237 crore. The allocation was approved on January 21 at a joint meeting of the Spectrum Auction Committee and the Spectrum Management Committee, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Major General (retd) Md Emdad ul Bari confirmed.
Globally regarded as premium spectrum for mobile broadband, the 700MHz band offers wide geographic coverage and superior indoor penetration compared to higher-frequency bands. Industry experts say it is especially effective for rural connectivity, indoor coverage, and improving network performance in hard-to-reach areas.
With this allocation, Bangladesh formally begins deploying the 700MHz band for mobile services—an initiative long viewed as essential for strengthening nationwide network coverage and service quality as data usage continues to rise.
Tanveer Mohammad, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Grameenphone, said the company has received an acknowledgement letter from BTRC confirming its eligibility to acquire the spectrum upon completion of regulatory requirements.
“This reinforces our commitment to strengthening network quality and delivering a superior, reliable experience for our customers across Bangladesh,” he said.
Single-bidder auction, rules revised
Grameenphone was the only participant in the auction. Anticipating a single-bidder scenario, BTRC earlier revised its guidelines, reducing the maximum acquisition cap from 15MHz to 10MHz out of the total 25MHz available in the band.
Regulators said the change was made to protect competition and ensure spectrum remains available for other operators in future rounds. Robi Axiata withdrew from the process, citing misalignment with its investment priorities, while Banglalink and Teletalk did not participate.
Despite limited competition, BTRC proceeded with the auction, noting that preparations had been underway since 2024 and further delays would hinder long-pending spectrum planning.
Strategic importance of 700MHz
Telecom analysts say the introduction of the 700MHz band represents a structural upgrade for Bangladesh’s mobile ecosystem. Low-band spectrum enables operators to cover larger areas with fewer base stations, reducing capital and operating costs, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions.
The band is also expected to play a critical role in enhancing 4G capacity and future 5G network layering, complementing higher-frequency spectrum that delivers capacity but limited reach.
While analysts caution that high spectrum prices and tax burdens continue to constrain investment, Grameenphone’s acquisition gives it a significant advantage in coverage—especially indoors and in rural areas—while setting a precedent for future low-band assignments.
Mohammad said the spectrum will allow the operator to improve coverage in underserved environments and enhance network efficiency and resilience.
“We look forward to responsibly utilising this spectrum to elevate service quality and deliver secure, innovative digital services for our more than 85.6 million customers, reinforcing our role as a key enabler of Bangladesh’s digital progress,” he said.
