Overview

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is one of the fastest growing sectors in Bangladesh. The liberalisation of Bangladesh's telecommunications sector began with small steps in 1989 with the issuance of a licence to a private operator for the provision of inter alia cellular mobile services to compete with Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB), the previous monopoly provider of telecommunications services within Bangladesh. Significant changes in the number of fixed and mobile services deployed in Bangladesh occurred in the late 1990s and the number of services in operation along with the standard of services have subsequently grown exponentially in the past recent years. Committed to establish “Digital Bangladesh”, the country has taken several significant steps for development of ICT infrastructure and legal framework.

• The ICT Act (revision), 2009 and National ICT Policy, 2009 have already been promulgated. The ICT Act has duly addressed the legal issues involved.
• The National ICT Policy is structured around a Vision, 10 broad objectives, 56 strategic themes and 306 action items to be implemented by 49 Ministries/Divisions/Departments either on the short term (18 months or less), medium term (5 years or less) or long term (10 years or less). Meanwhile some immediate action items have been implemented.
• Steps have been taken to introduce e-governance, e-commerce, and e-banking in the country. Now electric bill payment and advanced messages on disaster are done through mobile phone.

Landmarks in the history of telecom industry in Bangladesh

 

Structure of Telecom Network

• Bangladesh Telecom Network Topology
• As defined in the National Telecommunications Policy 1998 and International Long-Distance Telecommunications Services (ILDTS) Policy 2007, all mobile operators is to interconnect
• through Interconnection Exchange (ICX) and all international calls to be handled by International Gateway (IGW) which is to be connected to the mobile and fixed operators through the ICXs.
• The Interconnection Exchange (ICX) will receive all calls from the mobile and fixed operators whenever the call is made to other 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.
• The structure of interconnection between different interfaces is shown on the diagram.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission

For the purpose of development and efficient regulation of the telecommunication system and telecom services in the country Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) was established as an independent Commission under the Bangladesh Telecommunication Act, 2001 (Act no. 18 of 2001). BTRC started functioning from January 31, 2002 with the vision to “Facilitate Connecting the unconnected through quality telecommunication services at an affordable price by introducing new technologies”. To achieve this objective the Commission performs certain activities which are as follows:

1. To encourage the orderly development of a telecommunication system that enhances and strengthens the social and economic welfare of Bangladesh.
2. To ensure, in keeping with the prevalent social and economic realities of Bangladesh, access to reliable, reasonably priced and modern telecommunication services and internet-services for the greatest number of people, as far as practicable.
3. To ensure the efficiency of the national telecommunication system and its capability to compete in both the national and International spheres.
4. To prevent and abolish discrimination in providing telecommunication services, to progressively effect reliance on competitive and market-oriented system and in keeping with these objectives, to ensure effective control of the Commission.
5. To encourage the introduction of new services and to create a favourable atmosphere for the local and foreign investors who intend to invest in the telecommunication sector in Bangladesh.

Performance of BTRC

• According to telecommunication policy, tele-density is targeted to be enhanced by 10 percent in the next 10 years.
• According to BTRC forecast, telephone subscribers will rise to 50 million.
• The tele-density now stands around 47.8 percent, which is more than three times than that of projected target. The aim of the Commission is to progressively rely on competitive market oriented system. In keeping with this objective, the Commission is committed to ensure effective control on telecommunication and to introduce new services and to create a favourable atmosphere for the local and foreign investors who intend to invest in the telecommunication sector in Bangladesh.
• The total number of Mobile Phone Active Subscribers has reached 772 Million at the end of June 2019.

The above functions are supervised and administered by the following higher officials: 

Development activities of BTRC in past 15 years is shown below:

Licensing procedure:

Open Licensing: These licenses for providing ISP, IPTSP call centre, vehicle tracking, NTTN, NIX and VSAT services are issued by the Commission following the open licensing procedure.

 Bidding/auction licensing:  These licenses Ltd in number are awarded through bidding system. Generally, the licenses are awarded according to the guidelines made for licensing procedure for every type of license. Here, the types of licenses issued by the Commission through both the licensing procedure are given below as flowchart:

  

Summary of - BTRC License (Up to 12-03-2019)

 

Future Planning of BTRC

 

Mobile Network Services

Mobile Phone Operators and Subscriber

Initially there were 6 mobile operators in the country but with the competitive market and poor services 2 of them have clsoed their operation. At present 4 operators have captured the total mobile telecom market whose subscribers and market share are shown below:

Contact Information of Mobile Phone Operators

Internet services

Internet services and subscribers

Total number of Internet Subscribers has reached 96.199 Million at the end of June 2019, which is shown in the following table and chart:

List of Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

List of Nationwide, Central and Zonal Internet Services Providers (ISPs) are shown at Art 4.11 Page 504

 

Terrestrial services in Bangladesh

According to Radio Regulation issued from International Telecommunication Union (ITU) all radio communication services have been defined as Terrestrial Service except Space Radiocommunication and Radio Astronomy. The following section gives a detail description of different Terrestrial Services in Bangladesh:

2G and 3G Cellular Mobile Phone services

Since the last decade of the previous century, 825-845/870-890, 885-890/930-935,890-915/935-960 and 1710-1785/1805-1880 MHz frequency bands are being used for cellular mobile phone services using 2G technology. With this technology, subscribers are able to use low-speed data service alongside the voice call. In order to spread high-speed mobile broadband service to the people of distant corners of the country, 35 MHz frequency have been assigned to 5 (five) Mobile Phone Operators to provide services through 3G technology in the year 2013. 3G subscribers in Bangladesh are availing high speed internet, enjoying television in mobile, video conferencing service and video on demand service.

 

Technology Neutrality in 800, 900 & 1800 MHz Band

In 2017-2018 fiscal year, initiatives have been taken to introduce ‘Technology Neutrality’ in the frequency assigned to the cellular mobile phone operators of the country from 800, 900 & 1800 MHz spectrum band. After successfully introducing this feature, spectral efficiency of the spectrum increased and cellular mobile phone operators are now able to provide 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services in the same spectrum with little investment.

Introduction of 4G/LTE Service in Bangladesh

With a view to keep pace with the progressive global development in the field of technology, Bangladesh is also moving ahead with the inception of 4G/LTE in the country. On 19 February 2018, Grameenphone Ltd., Robi Axiata Ltd., Banglalink Digital Communications Ltd. and Teletalk got the 4G-license in order to use relevant frequency and radio-communication apparatus.

PSTN Service

In order to reach fixed phone services to the door steps of the people of the country in parallel to mobile phone services, PSTN license was provided to 14 organizations. In this context, spectrum from CDMA 450 MHz, CDMA 800MHz and CDMA 1900 MHz band had been assigned to those organizations according to their demands. But later, assigned spectrum of some PSTN operators had been cancelled due to their involvement in different illegal activities. Due to the lack of financial investment and failure to expand the network coverage, many operators have minimized their services or stopped completely. At present other than the state-owned operator Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd (BTCL) and privately-owned Ranks Telecom Ltd and Banglaphone Ltd, other PSTN operators do not have citable activity. However total number of Glossary Link PSTN Subscribers has reached 0.8095 million. The PSTN Phone subscribers are shown below:

 

Broadband Wireless Access Service

In order to provide internet access to everywhere in Bangladesh, especially in the underserved area, two Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) licenses have been awarded in 2008 to Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh Ltd and Banglalion Communications Ltd (each had been awarded 35MHz of spectrum from 2.3GHz & 2.5GHz band respectively. Though primarily WiMAX was the technology to be used for BWA service, due to the technological evolution, LTE has been allowed to the licensees to provide the faster internet service throughout the nation especially in rural area/at the grassroot level.

Wireless Internet Service Provider 

BTRC has issued license to 14 Internet Service Providers to provide wireless internet service for data communication in Bangladesh. These ISPs are entitled to provide internet service to the consumer level. Till 2018 these ISPs served a total of 40,000 subscribers. Wireless Internet Service Provider organizations are entitled for serving the internet services, data communication service, IP telephony service, CC camera solution, network security solution and video conferencing services to the customer end.

Terrestrial Television Broadcasting

In Bangladesh only Bangladesh Television (BTV) is providing terrestrial television broadcasting service. BTV is using 174-230 MHz spectrum in VHF band for this transmission. Due to the spectral efficiency in digital terrestrial television broadcasting system, more channels can be accommodated in the same amount of spectrum comparing to analogue technology. Considering all these, BTRC has completed procedures of reserving spectrum of 522-698 MHz UHF band for Digital Terrestrial Service in Bangladesh. As a result, various television broadcasting organizations will be able to provide different services including improved picture and sound, interactivity, video on demand and datacasting by using spectrum in digital terrestrial broadcasting system in future.

 

FM Radio Broadcasting

Radio wave is an easily accessible medium of mass communication. FM Radios being a very popular means of broadcasting, it is now easily possible to create common public opinion for welfare of the society, create awareness against rumour and superstitions, make people aware against militant activities, promote the importance of public education, industry, culture, music, history, tradition, sports etc. Those who have been awarded the license to establish and operate FM radio broadcasting seek frequency to BTRC and spectrum is assigned from 87.5 to 108 MHz band i.e. ‘FM band’ from BTRC according to National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP). Each organization has a spectrum allocation of 200 kHz for broadcast in the FM band and 200 KHz has been kept unallocated between two operators, which is working as a guard band. As a result, it would be possible to provide spectrum allotment to 51 (Fifty-one) spots in the FM band. Till 2017-2018 fiscal years, licenses have been issued to state owned ‘Bangladesh Betar’ and 28 non-government organizations for FM radio broadcasting.

 

Community Radio Broadcasting

In order to improve the quality of life of the people of certain geographical locality having similar socio-economic standard and cultural heritage by providing various information, Ministry of Information (MoI) issued Community Radio Installation, Transmission and Policy-2008. Under this policy, Ministry of Information (MoI) has issued approval/licenses to 31organizations for Community Radio broadcasting services till 2017-2018 fiscal year. Among those, 18 non- government organizations have been assigned spectrum from 87.5-108 MHz band from BTRC according to National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP). As the community radio will serve in a specific area only, the community radio service is being provided by reusing the 03 FM frequencies with 200 KHz bandwidth. These are 98.80 MHz, 99.00 MHz and 99.20 MHz.

Professional Mobile Radio Service (PMR)

PMR service is an actually two-way radio transceiver. According to International Telecommunication Union (ITU)  regulation and National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) of Bangladesh, Spectrum of PMR service in HF Band (3-30 MHZ) and VHF Band (30-300 MHz) are reserved for Walkie-Talkie. Moreover, some part of UHF Band (300-3000 MHz) is also used for PMR service. Beside this, for Citizen Band 26-27 MHz and for Short Business Radio (SBR) 245-246 MHz frequencies are used in shared basis only for walkie-talkie to walkie-talkie communication without repeater. At present, all in the above cases 12.5 KHz bandwidth is used for this service. To ensure the security of government / non-government / private organizations, office-court, security agencies and law enforcing agencies of the government, United Nations Missions, diplomatic agencies, the use of walkie-talkie has immense importance. Currently 814 institutions are assigned frequencies in different bands. Among those most of the institutions have been assigned frequencies in HF, VHF and UHF band to communicate using base station, repeater and walkie-talkie.

Governmental Radio Service

Some frequency bands are reserved for National Security Agencies and Law Enforcement Departments in National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) of Bangladesh. These frequency bands are known as Governmental Radio Band. In order to provide security to the people and to maintain law and order, these frequencies are used by Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Air force, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, Coast Guard, Fire Service and Civil Defense.

ISM Radio Service

Under the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP), 26.957-27.283 MHz band, 40.66-40.70 MHz band, 2.40-2.483 GHz band and 5.725-5.850 GHz band are identified as Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) bands. In particular, ISPs providing Wi-Fi services are major users of the 2.40-2.483 GHz band.

Aeronautical Radio Service

As per NFAP of Bangladesh, 108.000 MHz to 117.975 MHz and 118.00 to 136.00 MHz spectrum are generally used for Aeronautical radio service. In the aforesaid spectrum 108.000 MHz to 117.975 MHz is used for Instrumental Landing System (ILS) and 118.00 to 136.00 MHz spectrum is used for air to air, air to ground and also ground to air communications.

Maritime Service

HF and VHF bands are reserved for Maritime Radio service and 2182 KHz and 156.800 MHz frequencies are used for distress call and safety services in maritime operations.

 

VSAT services

Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) is a wireless communication system that uses a combination of a small antenna and satellite terminal equipment. It is possible to provide high speed data and voice service very easily and uninterruptedly from any place of the world by broad and narrow band wireless service using orbital satellite. As an alternative of terrestrial communication system and it provides various facilities. VSAT helps building cost effective unique communication network in any dispersed area. VSAT networks offer value-added satellite-based services capable of supporting the Internet, data, LAN, voice/fax communications and can provide powerful, dependable private and public network communications. At present, there are 5 (five) VSAT Provider with Hub Licensee, 12 (twelve) VSAT provider Licensee, 44 VSAT User Licensee in the country. The SAT providers (Hub license) provides satellite communication services to the users like Embassies, Corporate offices, Banks, Branch offices etc. For Data circuit, the Remote Terminal bandwidth may be 512 kbps in case of symetric service and maximum down link bandwidth may be 2048 kbps in case of asymmetric service.

 

Licensing Procedure:

 

Fees for VSAT user License (Corporate)

 

List of License Holders of VSAT users and Providers

Satellite television broadcasting

Basically, the satellite television broadcasting license is issued from the Ministry of Information. Up till now, Satellite uplink frequency of bandwidth 6/9/12 MHz from 5.85-6.425 GHz band has been assigned to 38 satellite televisions. The name of such Spectrum assignees is given below:

 

Cable networking

Submarine cables

Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Ltd (BSCCL) is a Core Telecommunications service provider and  International Submarine Cable Operator of Bangladesh. It is also an IIG (International Internet Gateway). The service provided by BSCCL represents the Long-haul communication between Bangladesh and the rest of the world. The Company emerged in July 2008 as a public Ltd company under the Posts and Telecommunications Division of Posts, Telecommunications and Internet Technology Ministry, Government of Bangladesh. BSCCL is a party in both SMW-4 and SMW-5 Consortiums provide more capacity and redundancy in Submarine Cables for Bangladesh. BSCCL-IIG is helping the people of the Country to get broadband Internet with cheaper rate and better quality of service. BSCCL is one of the growing companies in the Telecom sector of Bangladesh. It is a leading company for implementation of National ILDTS & ICT policies to develop modern tele-network and high speed Broadband Internet in Bangladesh. The submarine cable network is expected to be the main telecommunications infrastructure for “Digital Bangladesh” by the year 2021 and BSCCL is certainly going to play a major role. By providing high capacity fiber optic submarine cable bandwidth and state of the art Internet Transit facilities, BSCCL is effectively connecting the people to the “Information Super Highway”.

The Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company signed the agreement with SMW-5 Consortium in 2014 and ensures the ownership of the country's second submarine cable, which was inaugurated on 10th September-2017.

Optical Fiber Network

BTCL has expanded its network by fiber optics in 64 districts. Apart from 108 optical fiber development projects in 108 union parishads "110 optical fiber development projects in 1000 union parishads" and 1104 total 1212 unions have been attached. Further, the activities of setting up optical networks in district, upazila and union level are going on under "Wireless Broadband Network for the Digital Bangladesh (4G, LTE) Project". BTCL is also expanding their network through various projects implemented under the ICT department. Since the mobile operator got their licenses, they started building their own optical fiber network optical fiber network and allow only NTTN operators to build such infrastructure. So far following Private operators have completed Optical Fiber Network in different upazilla:

• Pacific Bangladesh Telecom Ltd (PBTL)- 1127 km
• Grameenphone Ltd -2746 km
• Banglalink Digital Communications Ltd- 3000 km
• Robi Axiata Ltd -730 km
• Airtel Bangladesh Ltd- 303 km.

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