Minister Urges Telecom Expansion to Villages
• SIM tax exemption benefits must directly reach general consumers.
• Further FDI expected from Malaysia-based Axiata Group for infrastructure.
• Operators instructed to clarify call drop compensation and validity rules.
Mobile network operators have been directed to expand advanced digital infrastructure beyond metropolitan zones into remote rural regions. Postal, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam made the remarks on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) during a ceremony marking the completion of Robi's Dhaka network modernization at its corporate headquarters in Tejgaon, Dhaka. Robi Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Perihan Elhamy Ahmed Metweh delivered the technical presentation.
Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam stated that public welfare and consumer satisfaction remain top governmental priorities, backed by an awareness of telecom opportunities and challenges. Highlighting the recent abolition of SIM tax, he insisted that the fiscal benefit must directly empower end-users rather than merely assisting operators. He expressed optimism that Dhaka's network upgrade would soon scale nationwide.
Identifying foreign direct investment as a catalyst for economic inclusion, the Minister underscored Malaysia’s strategic partnership with Bangladesh and anticipated enhanced capital expenditure from Robi's parent entity, Axiata Group, to ensure affordable and high-quality services.
He urged Robi to extend coverage to remote riverine and hilly terrains, noting that rural inbound calls show fewer Robi connections despite tower-sharing infrastructure being readily accessible across operators.
Addressing consumer grievances, the Minister called for broader transparency, directing operators to run awareness campaigns clarifying that customers are not charged for dropped calls and are entitled to compensations. He also noted issues where users lose unused balance in BDT 500 bundles upon validity expiry, advising Robi, Grameenphone, Banglalink, and Teletalk to inform subscribers properly. He assured that the ministry and BTRC remain committed to supporting telco growth.
The event was attended by Prime Minister's Telecom and ICT Adviser Rehan Asif Asad, BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdad Ul Bari, and Robi Managing Director and CEO Ziad Shatara alongside senior leadership.
//DBTech/FAS/MIS//
