Telecom operator Robi Axiata has decided not to participate in Bangladesh’s upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction, leaving Grameenphone as the sole bidder. The decision follows a technical and strategic review, with Robi citing current network priorities, deployment plans, and market conditions as misaligned with the timing of the auction.
Robi confirmed the move in a statement to The Daily Star, noting that while the 700 MHz band remains strategically important for long-term network evolution, it does not fit its immediate operational requirements. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) acknowledged the withdrawal and said the auction process would proceed as planned.
With Robi’s exit and Banglalink and Teletalk also not applying, the BTRC revised auction rules to limit spectrum acquisition by a single operator. The regulator said the change was intended to preserve competition and protect smaller operators. The auction has also been affected by legal disputes over part of the band and concerns over high spectrum pricing despite a recent base price reduction.
