BTRC seeks to ease spectrum concerns as GP secures 700 MHz allocation

Bangladesh's telecom regulator has taken a fresh step to address growing concerns over regulatory imbalance in the allocation of 700 MHz spectrum to Grameenphone (GP), as it invited rival operators Robi Axiata and Banglalink to a discussion on Tuesday to review broader low-band spectrum policy.

The move came on the same day the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) issued a demand note to GP for 10 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band -- the first commercial assignment of the band in Bangladesh -- triggering debate among industry stakeholders over whether the process disproportionately favoured the market leader.

GP said the allocation, valid for 13 years, would contribute around Tk 22 billion to the national exchequer and help expand coverage, improve indoor connectivity, and enhance service quality across both urban and rural areas.

The operator described the investment as part of its long-term commitment to strengthening network performance and preparing for future technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT).

However, rival operators and sector analysts argue that the standalone allocation of premium low-band spectrum to a single operator risks deepening structural asymmetries in the telecom market, where GP already holds the largest share of subscribers and revenues.

Robi and Banglalink have repeatedly urged BTRC to release all available low-band spectrum -- including the EGSM band -- through a coordinated auction process.

They warn that piecemeal assignments could entrench existing market dominance and distort competition.

In a significant development, BTRC has now invited Robi and Banglalink to a policy-level discussion on low-band spectrum management and future auction strategies.

A senior BTRC official confirmed the invitation to The Financial Express, indicating that the regulator is exploring ways to address concerns over perceived bias and ensure a more balanced spectrum framework.

Both Robi and Banglalink declined to comment ahead of the meeting.

Commenting on the allocation, GP Chief Executive Officer Yasir Azman said the company was making a major investment of around Tk 22 billion for the spectrum, to be followed by further substantial spending on nationwide network rollout.

"Low-band spectrum plays an essential role in enhancing 4G performance, and this allocation will enable us to prepare for future-ready technologies like 5G, AI and IoT by supporting higher data speeds, lower latency and improved user experience across diverse environments," he said, thanking BTRC and the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology for what he described as a transparent and structured process.

Industry insiders view BTRC's latest move as an attempt to recalibrate its regulatory approach amid criticism that recent policy decisions have been shaped around GP's operational priorities rather than a level-playing-field strategy.

While BTRC maintains that the 700 MHz allocation is essential for improving nationwide coverage and service quality, analysts caution that long-term sector sustainability depends not only on network expansion but also on fair and coordinated spectrum distribution among operators.

The 700 MHz band, often referred to as "digital dividend" spectrum, became available globally after the transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting.

Owing to its low-frequency characteristics, it is highly valued for its ability to provide wide-area coverage and strong indoor penetration with fewer base stations, making it particularly attractive for rural connectivity and cost-efficient network expansion.

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