Grameenphone Receives First-Ever 700 MHz Spectrum Allocation
Grameenphone, leading telecom operator of Bangladesh, has received a demand note from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) for the allocation of 10 MHz spectrum in the 700 MHz band, the first of its kind in the country. The spectrum has been awarded for 13 years, with Grameenphone set to contribute approximately Tk 2,200 crore to the national exchequer during this period.
Announcing the development on Monday, February 2, Grameenphone said the investment, along with future spending on network expansion using this band, will strengthen service quality, accelerate digital inclusion, and enhance the experience of its more than 83.9 million subscribers.
The low-band characteristics of 700 MHz spectrum will enable wider coverage from each base station, supporting faster and more cost-efficient network expansion. Customers are expected to benefit from stronger indoor signals in dense urban areas—such as offices, hospitals, shopping malls, high-rise buildings, basements, and elevators—as well as improved connectivity in rural, coastal, and remote regions.
Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman said: “We are investing Tk 2,200 crore for this allocation, and will make further significant investments to roll out services nationwide using this band. This reflects our long-term commitment to improving service quality and delivering the best data network experience. Low-band spectrum is critical for enhancing 4G performance and preparing for future technologies such as 5G, AI, and IoT—ensuring higher speeds, lower latency, and superior experiences across environments. We sincerely thank BTRC and the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology for ensuring a transparent process in building a future-ready telecom ecosystem.”
Industry analysts note that the allocation positions Grameenphone to lead Bangladesh’s transition toward next-generation connectivity, while reinforcing the government’s push for digital inclusion.
DBTech/BCR/EMK
