View source for Telecommunications in Bangladesh

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[[File:BTRC Bhaban.jpg|alt=BTRC Bhaban|thumb|BTRC Bhaban]]
The '''telecom sector in Bangladesh''' is rapidly emerging. [[Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission]] (BTRC) is the regulatory authority for this sector, overseeing licensing, policy, etc.

The [[List of country calling codes|calling code]] of Bangladesh is +880. There are also several [[Bangladesh Calling SubCodes|SubCodes]].

== History ==
{{Prose|section|date=January 2015}}
Landmarks in the history of the telecom industry in Bangladesh:<ref>[http://www.btcl.gov.bd/pages/10/history Chronological Development of Telecommunication], Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited.</ref>

* 1971: Reconstructed as Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Department under the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.
* 1975: Reconstructed as Telegraph and Telephone Board.
* 1979: Reconstructed as [[Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board]] (BTTB) with the right to issue licenses for telecom and wireless services.
* 1981: Digital Telex Exchange in Bangladesh.
* 1983: Automatic Digital ITX started in Dhaka.
* 1985: Coinbox Telephone service was introduced in Bangladesh by BTTB.
* 1989: GENTEX Telegraph messaging service introduced in Bangladesh.
* 1989: Bangladesh Rural Telecom Authority got a license to operate exchanges in 200 [[Upazila]]s.
* 1989: [[Banglalink|Sheba Telecom]] got license to operate exchanges in 199 Upazilas.
* 1989: Cellular mobile phone company [[Citycell|Pacific Bangladesh Telephone Limited]] and Bangladesh Telecom got license.
* 1995: Card Telephone service introduced in Bangladesh by BTTB and TSS.
* 1995: Regulatory power of BTTB transferred to Ministry ([[Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology|MoPTIT]]).  
* 1995: 2nd and 3rd ITX installed in Dhaka.
* 1996: [[GrameenPhone]] got cellular mobile Telephone license.
* 1996: [[Aktel|Telecom Malaysia International Bangladesh]] got cellular mobile license.
* 1998: Telecom Policy.
* 2000: Global Telecom Service (GTS) Telex Exchange venture with British Teleco.
* 2001: Telecommunication Act, to establish [[Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission]] (BTRC).
* 2002: ICT Policy.
* 2004: [[Teletalk|Teletalk (BTTB bMobile)]] cellular mobile launched.
* 2005: Egypt-based [[Orascom]] acquired Sheba Telecom
* 2006: [[Next Generation Networking|NGN]] introduced in BTTB.
* 2008: BTTB converted into [[Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited]] (BTCL) with 100% shares owned by Government. The Submarine Cable Project transformed into Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited ([[BSCCL]])
* 2008: Japanese [[NTT DoCoMo]] bought 30 percent stake in [[Aktel]]
* 2009: [[Bharti Airtel]] acquired 70 percent stake in [[Warid Telecom]]
* 2009: Internet Protocol Telephony Service Provider (IPTSP) Operators launched.
* 2010: [[Aktel]] rebranded to Robi Axiata Limited
* 2012: [[3G]] mobile service is introduced by state owned [[Teletalk]] in October.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh Enters 3G Era, Putting Telecom Growth on Fast Track |url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/10/14/bangladesh-enters-3g-era-putting-telecom-growth-on-fast-track-report/ |newspaper=Fox Business |date=14 October 2012 |access-date=4 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Teletalk Launches Bangladesh's First 3G Network |url=http://www.cellular-news.com/story/56851.php |newspaper=Cellular News |date=15 October 2012 |access-date=4 November 2012}}</ref>
* 2013: [[3G]] auction held for private companies
* 2014: 64 districts covered with [[3G]] by [[Teletalk]], [[Grameenphone]], [[Banglalink]] and [[Robi (company)|Robi]]
* 2016: Robi and Airtel were merged on 16 November 2016 and Robi set sail as the merged company.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.robi.com.bd/media-room/press-release/robi-sets-sail-as-the-merged-company?lang=eng|title=Robi sets sail as the Merged Company|website=Robi|access-date=21 February 2018|archive-date=11 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711091055/https://www.robi.com.bd/media-room/press-release/robi-sets-sail-as-the-merged-company?lang=eng|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 2018: [[4G]] auction held for private companies
* 2018: On 19 February [[4G]] mobile service is introduced.<ref>{{cite news |script-title=bn:ফোরজি সেবা পেতে যা করতে হবে |url=http://www.prothomalo.com/technology/article/1434296/%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87|newspaper=[[Prothom Alo]] |date=18 February 2018 |language=bn |access-date=21 February 2018}}</ref>
* 2021: On 12 December [[5G]] mobile service is introduced by [[TeleTalk]].
* 2022: On 17 March Unlimited Validity Data service is introduced by [[TeleTalk]].
* 2022: On 31 March [[5G]] auction is held for all Telecom companies.
* 2023: On 1 November, [[Teletalk]] and [[Banglalink]] jointly introduced the first National Roaming Network with approximately 20,600 towers in Bangladesh.

== Structure ==
[[File:BD telco-1.svg|right|thumb|500px|Bangladesh Telecom Network Topology]]
As defined in the National Telecommunications Policy (1998) and the International Long-Distance Telecommunications Services (ILDTS) Policy (2007), all mobile operators must interconnect through Interconnection Exchanges (ICXs), while all international calls are to be routed through International Gateways (IGWs), which connect to both mobile and fixed operators via the ICXs.

The Interconnection Exchange (ICX) will receive all calls from the mobile and fixed operators whenever the call is made to another network and will pass it to the destination network if the call is local, and will pass to the IGWs if the call is international. ICX will also deliver calls received from IGWs where the call is destined.<ref>[http://www.btrc.gov.bd/policy/Telecom_Policy_1998.pdf National Telecommunications Policy 1998] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706132600/http://www.btrc.gov.bd/policy/Telecom_Policy_1998.pdf |date=6 July 2011 }}</ref>

Below illustrate the structure of interconnection between different interfaces.

== Service providers ==
{{See also|List of telecommunications companies of Bangladesh}}

=== Public switched telephone network ===
The number of [[public switched telephone network]] (PSTN) subscribers in Bangladesh as of February 2009 was 1.372&nbsp;million.<ref>[http://www.btrc.gov.bd/newsandevents/pstn_phone_subscribers/pstn_phone_subscribers_february_2009.php Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403164021/http://www.btrc.gov.bd/newsandevents/pstn_phone_subscribers/pstn_phone_subscribers_february_2009.php |date=3 April 2009 }}</ref> PSTN operators in Bangladesh include:
*[[Banglaphone Ltd.]]
*[[BTCL]]
*[[Integrated Services Limited]] (ISL) – branded under the name Sheba Phone
*[[Jalalabad Telecom Ltd.]] – branded under the name [[Bijoy Phone]]
*[[Onetel Communication Ltd.]]
*[[RanksTel|Ranks Telecom Ltd.]]
*[[S.A Telecom System Ltd.]]
*[[Westec Ltd.]]
*[[WorldTel]]
*[[Lenova.com.bd]]
*[[Dhaka Telephone Co. Ltd.]] – ''Currently off the air, License canceled by BTRC''
*[[National Telecom Ltd.]] – ''Currently off the air, License canceled by BTRC''
*[[PeoplesTel|Peoples Telecommunication and Information Services Ltd.]] – ''Currently off the air, License canceled by BTRC''
*[[Telebarta|Tele Barta Ltd.]] – branded under the name [[Jubok phone]] – ''Currently off air''

=== Mobile phone operators ===
{{See also|List of mobile network operators of Bangladesh}}
There are four mobile phone operators in Bangladesh, operating under the names of [[Banglalink]], [[Grameenphone]], [[Robi (company)|Robi]] and [[TeleTalk]]. The number of mobile phone subscribers in Bangladesh as of April 2015 was 124.705&nbsp;million,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.btrc.gov.bd/content/mobile-phone-subscribers-bangladesh-april-2015 |title=Mobile Phone Subscribers in Bangladesh April 2015 |publisher=BTRC |access-date=23 June 2020}}</ref> having risen from the February 2009 figure of 45.21&nbsp;million.<ref>[http://www.btrc.gov.bd/newsandevents/mobile_phone_subscribers/mobile_phone_subscribers_february_2009.php Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508061431/http://www.btrc.gov.bd/newsandevents/mobile_phone_subscribers/mobile_phone_subscribers_february_2009.php |date=8 May 2009 }}</ref> As of September, 2022 the number of mobile phone subscriber has risen to 181.43 Million. [https://www.amtob.org.bd/home/industrystatics]

=== Long distance operators (as per ILDTS Policy 2007) ===

On 25 February 2008 the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission awarded licenses for two Interconnection Exchanges (ICX), three International Gateways (IGm), and one International Internet Gateway (IIG) to six firms through an open auction in February 2008. The incumbent BTTB got the same licenses too. And after then on 12 April 2012, the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission awarded licenses for twenty-one Interconnection Exchanges (ICX), twenty two International Gateways (IGw), and thirty International Internet Gateway (IIG). Here is the list of all operators:

==== International Gateway (IGW) operators ====

# [[Roots Communication]]
# [[Mir Telecom LTD]]
# [[1Asia Alliance Gateway]]
# [[Bangladesh International Gateway]]
# [[Bangla Tel Ltd]]
# [[Bangla Trac Communications]]
# [[BG Tel]]
# [[BTCL]]
# [[Cel Telecom]]
# [[DBL Telecom]]
# [[DigiCon Telecommunications]]
# [[First Communications]]
# [[Global Voice Telecom]]
# [[HRC Technologies]]
# [[LR Telecom Ltd.]]
# [[Kay Telecommunications]]
# [[Mos5 Tel]]
# [[NovoTel Limited]]
# [[Platinum Communications|Platinum Communications Ltd]]
# [[RanksTel]]
# [[Ratul Telecom]]
# [[SM Communication]]
# [[SongBird Telecom]] (formerly [[Hamid Sourcing]])<ref>{{Cite web|title = Songbird Telecom Limited|url = http://www.songbirdtelecom.com/about.html|website = www.songbirdtelecom.com|access-date = 11 August 2015}}</ref>
# [[Telex (Bangladesh)|Telex]]
# [[Vision Tel]]
# [[Venus Telecom LTD]]

==== Interconnection Exchange (ICX) operators ====
# [http://www.mnhtel.com M & H Telecom LTD]
# MM Communications LTD
# Jibondhara Solutions Ltd.
# Summit ICX
# BTCL
# Bangla ICX Ltd.
# Agni ICX
# CloudTel
# GAZI Networks Ltd
# GETCO ICX
# Imam Network Ltd.
# Jibondhara ICX
# Ring Tech Communications Limited
# MicroTrade ICX
# Mother Telecommunication
# New Generation Telecom Ltd
# Paradise ICX
# Purple Telecom Limited
# Crossworld Telecom Ltd.
# SR Telecom
# Sheba
# Softex Communications Ltd.
# Tele Exchange Ltd.
# Teleplus Network Ltd
# Voicetel Ltd.
# Bantel Limited.
# Sengupta Telecom

==== International Internet Gateway (IIG) operator ====
# Aamra Companies
# [[1Asia Alliance Communication]]
# [[Abir Telecommunication]]
# [[Apple Communication]]
# [[Bangla Phone Ltd]]
# [[bdHUB]]
# [[BD Link Communication Ltd]]
# [[BSCCL]]
# [[BTCL]]
# [[Cybergate]]
# [[Delta Infocom]]
# [[Earth Telecommunication]]
# [[Equitel Communications]]
# [[Fiber @ Home]]
# [[Global Fair Communications]]
# [[Greenland Technologies]]
# [[Intraglobe Communications]]
# [[Level3 Carrier]]
# [[ADN International Gateway Limited. Formerly Managewell Communication Ltd]]
# [[Mango Teleservices]]
# [[MaxNet Online]]
# [[NovoCom]]
# [[PeerEx Networks Limited]]
# [[REGO Communications]]
# [[CiTYCOM NETWORK]]
#Summit Communications Limited

==== Internet Protocol Telephony Service Provider (IPTSP) operators ====
On 18 August 2009, the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission commenced awarding licenses for IPTSP. IPTSP operators are regulated by the BTRC.<ref>[http://www.btrc.gov.bd/licensing/operators/iptsp/iptsp.pdf Internet Protocol Telephony Service Provider (IPTSP)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007033809/http://www.btrc.gov.bd/licensing/operators/iptsp/iptsp.pdf |date=7 October 2009 }}</ref> Current IPTSP operators in Bangladesh are:

* Nationwide:
# Royal Green Online Ltd.
# Systems Solutions & Development Technologies Limited[SSD-TECH]. (prefix-09642)
# MetroNet Bangladesh Ltd. (prefix-09612)
# Icon Infotech Ltd. (prefix-09644)
# Amber IT Ltd. (prefix-09611)
# Telnet Communication Ltd.
# Link3 Technologies Ltd. (prefix-09678)
# BDCOM Online Ltd. (prefix-09666)
# Access Telecom (BD) Ltd. (prefix-09622)
# ADN Telecom Ltd. (formerly Advanced Data Network Systems Ltd) (prefix-09610)
# Agni Systems Ltd. (prefix-09606)
# Rightsoft Systems
# Akceycom Ltd.
# Akij Online Ltd.
# Bangladesh Export Import Company Ltd.
# Bangladesh Internet Exchange Ltd.
# BEXIMCO AND SQUARE (prefix-09609)
# BRACNet Ltd. (prefix-09677)
# Broad Band Telecom Services Ltd.
# BTS Communications (BD) Ltd., branded as UbernetBD
# Carnival Internet
# Communication One (Pvt.) Ltd.
# Connect BD Ltd.
# Cyber Net Communications
# dhakaCom Ltd. (prefix-09611)
# Digital Connectivity Ltd.
# ERGO Ventures Ltd.
# Global Access Ltd.
# HRC Technologies Ltd.
# Idea Networks And Communications Ltd.
# IDS Bangladesh
# Information Services Network Ltd.
# Innovative Online Ltd.
# InterCloud Ltd.
# IS PROS Ltd.
# MaxNet Online
# Manor IT Ltd.
# Link3 Technologies Ltd. (prefix-09678)
# Nreach Net (Pvt.) Ltd.
# Pritty International (Pvt) Ltd.
# Ranks ITT Ltd.
# X-Net Ltd.
# TeleBangla Communications Ltd.
# RED Data (Pvt) Ltd.
# Triangle Services LTD
# Premium Connectivity Limited

* Central:
# Fusion Net
# Grameen Cybernet Ltd.
# IT Connect Ltd.
# J F Optical Services
# M/s. Media & Multimedia
# Next Online Ltd. (Nextfone)
# SADIATEC Ltd.
# Sine-10 (BD) Ltd.

* Zonal/Divisional:
# Chittagong Online Ltd.
# Chittagong Telecom Services Ltd.
# First n Fast IT Ltd.
# HN TELECOM
# SpeedLinks

==== International Terrestrial Cable (ITC) operator ====
# [[1Asia Alliance Communication]]
# [[BD Link Communication Ltd]]
# [[Fiber @ Home]]
# [[Mango Teleservices]]
# [[NovoCom]]
# [[Summit Communications]]

==Radio==
{{main|List of radio stations in Bangladesh}}
'''Radio broadcast stations:''' AM 12, FM 12, shortwave 2, community radio 1, Internet radios

'''Radios:''' 6.15 million (1997)

The government-owned Betar-Radio Bangladesh operates from Dhaka and other local districts. Currently, private FM radio channels are very popular. They are trying to attract young people by broadcasting music and news. The operating private radio channels include:
*[[DhakaFM 90.4|dhakaFM]] 90.4 FM
*[[Radio Amber]] 102.4 FM
*[[Radio Today]] 89.6 FM
*[[Radio Foorti]] 88.0 FM
*[[Radio Amar]] 88.4 FM
*ABC Radio 89.2 FM
*[[Peoples Radio]] 91.6 FM

==Television==
{{main|List of television stations in Bangladesh}}
As of 2012, there are 23 broadcast television stations in Bangladesh, including the state-run [[Bangladesh Television|BTV]] and BTV World, with 20 million television sets in the country.

The number of private satellite channels are growing. The first private channel in Bangladesh was [[ATN Bangla]]. There are 8 full-fledged news channels ([[ATN News]], [[Channel 24 (Bangladeshi TV channel)|Channel 24]], [[DBC News]], [[Ekattor]], [[Independent Television (Bangladesh)|Independent Television]], [[Jamuna Television]], [[News24 (Bangladeshi TV channel)|News24]] and [[Somoy TV]]).

==Internet==
{{main|Internet in Bangladesh}}
Bangladesh first received Internet access in 1996. In the recent years, Internet usage has rapidly increased. The Bangladesh government imposes a high Internet tariff, stunting the sector's growth, claims Norwegian-owned Telenor. {{citation needed|date=April 2015}} Due to controversy, the Bangladesh government decided to reduce the tariff by 50%.<ref>[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/31/content_7343711.htm Xinhua] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120222754/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/31/content_7343711.htm |date=20 January 2008 }}</ref>

The Bangladesh's Internet country code is [[.bd]].

As of 2005, more than 180 Internet Service Providers are operating in the country.<ref>[http://www.ispabd.org/news.php ISPs association Bangladesh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319142005/http://www.ispabd.org/news.php |date=19 March 2008 }}</ref> ISPs are regulated by the [[Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission]] (BTRC).

In April 2010, Akhtaruzzaman Manju, president of the Internet Service Providers' Association of Bangladesh, told Xinhua that the country's six mobile phone operators and Internet Service Providers have so far provided over 800,000 Internet connections. "We've estimated that nearly 10 million people in the country are using 800,000 internet connections on a shared basis," he said, adding the number of Internet users in the country is increasing yearly by around 15-16 percent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4072376 |title=Roundup: Internet use on rise in Bangladesh |website=iStockAnalyst |access-date=18 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503043842/http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4072376 |archive-date=3 May 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

A 2009 study by the Boston Consulting Group found that the number of Internet subscribers in Bangladesh is likely to reach 18.3 million by 2020, equivalent to a 32 percent household Internet penetration, which will result in a 2.6 percent contribution to the country's GDP while creating 129,000 more jobs, the research added.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/old/2010/01/22/90219.html |title=Internet subscribers may reach 18.3m by 2020 |work=The Financial Express |location=Dhaka |date=22 January 2010 |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref>

===Broadband Internet access===
Though broadband Internet access is available, the cost of high-speed connection is higher than in other south Asian countries. Broadband Internet and e-commerce in Bangladesh is progressing slowly. [[WiMAX]] service is now available from some Internet service providers. In Bangladesh broadband is legally defined as 128/128&nbsp;kbit/s, which is not in line with [[International Telecommunication Union|ITU]] standards.<ref>{{cite web |author=spumail |url=http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/publications/birthofbroadband/faq.html |title=Birth of Broadband – Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=Itu.int |date=4 April 2011 |access-date=17 May 2013 |archive-date=1 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701173257/http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/publications/birthofbroadband/faq.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[ISP]]s currently providing broadband services in Bangladesh are:
* [[Banglalion]]
* [[Infocom Limited]]
* [[Infolink|InfoLink]]

==Satellite==
There are six satellite Earth stations, including Talimabad, and Betbunia. Bangladesh sent its first satellite, [[Bangabandhu-1]], into space on May 11, 2018.

==Submarine cables==
Bangladesh is connected to [[SEA-ME-WE 4]] or SMW-4 (South-East Asia – Middle East – Western Europe 4) and [[SEA-ME-WE 5]] submarine cable systems. The landing site of the SMW-4 Bangladesh branch is located in Cox's Bazar and the landing site of the SMW-5 Bangladesh branch is located in [[Kuakata]]. The two submarine cables provide the country with redundancy to support uninterrupted Internet and long-distance communications and also with a huge bandwidth. [[Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited]] is the only submarine cable operator in Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bsccl.com.bd |title=Home |website=Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL)}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Bangladesh|Telecommunications}}
*[[Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation]]
*[[Doel (laptop)]]
*[[Media of Bangladesh]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130126003230/http://infoasaid.org/sites/infoasaid.org/files/pdf/bangladesh_media_landscape_guide_final_090512.pdf Media and Telecommunications Landscape Guide in Bangladesh], a [http://infoasaid.org/ 'infoasaid'] guide, May 2012, 135 pp.

{{Asia topic|Telecommunications in}}
{{Telecommunications}}{{Economy of Bangladesh}}{{Bangladesh topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Telecommunications In Bangladesh}}
[[Category:Telecommunications in Bangladesh| ]]