Bangladesh has formally cleared the way for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) to operate, with the country’s new Telecom Network Licensing Policy 2025 eliminating previous restrictions. The reform opens the door for Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) to launch mobile services, including the nation’s first triple-play and quad-play offerings.
Announcing the development on Facebook, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant on ICT, confirmed that BTCL will leverage its MVNO licence and BTCL Alap IP Phone app to provide unlimited voice services, subject to certain conditions. The triple-play package will combine voice, video, and high-speed internet, while quad-play will add wireless connectivity, positioning BTCL as a full-service digital provider.
MVNOs lease capacity from existing mobile operators instead of building their own infrastructure, enabling them to offer competitive and niche-focused services. This model reduces costs while allowing providers to design flexible packages for targeted groups such as students, rural populations, and expatriates.
Globally, MVNOs have thrived in over 80 countries, expanding consumer choice and driving competition. Examples include Tesco Mobile in the UK, Lycamobile across 20+ countries, and Consumer Cellular in the U.S., which caters to senior citizens. Such models demonstrate how MVNOs can increase affordability, efficiency, and customer-focused innovation without duplicating infrastructure.
Taiyeb emphasized that the government’s goal is to “remove the barriers of limited voice, limited data, limited content, and device restrictions in people’s communication and entertainment,” paving the way for more inclusive and accessible digital services in Bangladesh.
