700MHz Spectrum Sale Sees Solo Show by Grameenphone
Despite requesting a one-month extension to the long-anticipated auction of the 700 MHz spectrum band, Robi Axiata—Bangladesh’s second-largest listed mobile operator—has ultimately withdrawn from the process. Private operator Banglalink and state-owned Teletalk are also staying out of the auction.
In this situation, the telecom regulator Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has reduced the maximum spectrum acquisition cap from 15 MHz to 10 MHz and cut the base price of the 700 MHz band by 10 percent. For a 15-year licence, the price per megahertz has been lowered from BDT 263 crore to BDT 237 crore.
As a result, Grameenphone remains the sole participant in the auction scheduled for January 21. Following a High Court stay on the SMP issue, the country’s leading mobile operator appears set to enjoy a virtual walkover at the start of the new year. The key question now is how much spectrum Grameenphone will acquire as the lone bidder and what impact this will have on the rollout of 5G and high-speed internet services in Bangladesh.
Explaining Robi’s decision not to participate, the company’s Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer, Shahed Alam, said in a statement that Robi had opted out after strategic and technical reviews. While the 700 MHz band is crucial for future network development, the company believes the timing of the auction does not align with its current priorities or prevailing market conditions.
Initially, both Grameenphone and Robi had applied to participate in the auction, while the third-largest operator Banglalink did not submit any application. Commenting on Banglalink’s absence, its Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Taimur Rahman, said the company is not in a position to invest at the moment and also faces technical constraints. He added that Banglalink is hopeful of acquiring spectrum in the 800 MHz band instead.
BTRC Chairman Major General (retd.) Md Emdad Ul Bari confirmed Robi’s withdrawal, stating that preparations for the auction have been underway since 2024 and that the commission will proceed as per its pre-set plan. He also noted that Robi Axiata has applied for spectrum in another band, which the commission may consider.
According to sources, the reduction in spectrum price and allocation limits was intended to protect the interests of smaller operators and maintain healthy market competition. However, complications surrounding the 700 MHz band do not end there. Twenty megahertz of spectrum in this band remains tied up in a long-running legal dispute stemming from an allocation made to Always On Network Bangladesh Limited in 2007.
DBTech/SBO/EK/OR
