Telecom Minister Speaks at 37th AWG Meeting || Bangladesh Pledges Telecom Sector Modernization
APT Wireless Group meets in Dhaka to boost high-speed connectivity
- Telecom priority transitions from expanding connectivity to ensuring service quality
- Infrastructure features 191 million mobile subscriptions and 173,000 km optical fiber
- Strategic spectrum management emphasized for 5G, AI, IoT, and satellite tech
Following the rapid expansion of Bangladesh's IT infrastructure, the country's primary telecommunications goal has shifted from merely increasing connections to ensuring meaningful services, high network reliability, affordability, and superior quality, stated Postal, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam.
The Minister made the remarks as chief guest during the opening session of the four-day international conference, the 37th APT Wireless Group (AWG-37) meeting, held at the Radisson Blu Water Garden in Dhaka on Monday (September 7).
Highlighting national network statistics, the Minister reported that as of July 2026, Bangladesh registered 191 million active mobile subscriptions and nearly 130 million internet connections, with over 108 million subscribers utilizing 4G services. To support this massive digital ecosystem, more than 49,000 4G sites, 46,000 telecom towers, and 173,000 kilometers of optical fiber cable networks are currently operational across the nation.
Anam emphasized that formulating a forward-looking spectrum policy is vital for effectively deploying 5G, satellite connectivity, the Internet of Things (IoT), and emerging wireless technologies. Such strategic planning will bolster Bangladesh’s global capabilities in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Hosting AWG-37 in Dhaka bridges Bangladesh’s evolving telecommunications vision with the technological advancements of the Asia-Pacific region while facilitating vital regional knowledge sharing.
Chaired by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdad Ul Bari, the event was attended by Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Bilkis Jahan Rimi, BTRC Vice Chairman Md. Abu Bakar Siddique, BTRC commissioners, and high-level representatives from Asia-Pacific telecom regulatory bodies.
In her address, Secretary Bilkis Jahan Rimi noted that the APT Wireless Group plays a pivotal role in developing efficient radio communication systems amidst rapid technological changes. She urged governments and institutions to adapt their policies and operations to keep pace with the fast-evolving telecommunications landscape, leveraging AWG for effective radio communications, technology adoption, and knowledge transfer.
//DBTech/MABP/SME/MIS//
