BTCL Launches Country’s First MVNO SIM in Technical Trial

For the first time in Bangladesh, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) SIM operated by state-owned Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) has been activated through a successful technical trial. According to officials, all essential technical operations—including voice and data calls—have been completed successfully under the BTCL-operated service. Under this offering, customers will be able to enjoy unlimited voice calls and unlimited internet services, while the app-based IP calling service “Alap” will also be integrated into the platform.

It has been learned that unlimited internet bundled with GPON connections and routers, along with popular OTT content platforms such as Toffee—featuring dramas and movies—will be linked to the MVNO service. In addition, by integrating unlimited voice, unlimited data, unlimited broadband, and digital content, BTCL plans to deliver a comprehensive quad-play service under this initiative.

On Tuesday, January 3, the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, visited BTCL’s Ramna office to inspect the trial operation of the unlimited quad-play service delivered through the MVNO platform. During the visit, he stated that the MVNO SIM will be opened to the general public soon.

Explaining the service, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb said:

“In terms of voice services, we will operate as a virtual network, using another operator’s network with a defined number of minutes. Beyond that, we will provide BTCL’s own ‘Alap’ telephony app, which will allow unlimited Alap-to-Alap calls. Calls from Alap to other operators will be bundled with specific packages of 125 or 200 minutes. Alongside this, there will be a mobile internet package with a minimum of 10 GB, as well as GPON internet, which is being bundled with existing GPON lines.”

On the same day, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb also visited the Citizen Service Centre established at BTCL’s Ramna office.

BTCL stated that its goal is to build a modern, integrated, and customer-friendly telecommunications ecosystem that is affordable, smart, and inclusive. The MVNO initiative is expected to help reduce OTT content piracy, address existing challenges in mobile network usage, and ensure the optimal utilisation of BTCL’s existing infrastructure.

According to sector analysts, the launch of MVNO services marks the beginning of a new chapter in Bangladesh’s telecommunications sector, playing a vital role in building a smart, inclusive, and digitally connected future.

DBTech/MJU/EK/OR