Internet subscriptions hit 3-yr low, cell phone users edge up in Feb

FE Report
The number of internet subscribers in Bangladesh dropped to a three-year low in February 2026, despite having a slight increase in mobile-phone users, according to the latest data released by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
The number of total internet subscribers declined to 128.27 million in February 2026, down from 128.99 million in January and 129.67 million in December 2025.
It marks the lowest level of internet subscriptions since early 2023, reflecting a continued downward trend in recent months.
Such decline was primarily driven by a contraction in mobile internet users, which fell to 113.50 million in February from 114.22 million in January and 115.04 million in December. Over the past six months, mobile internet subscriptions dropped by around 5.2 per cent from a peak of 119.70 million in September 2025.
In contrast, fixed internet connections through ISP and PSTN remained largely stable at 14.77 million in February, indicating a limited growth in broadband expansion.
Industry insiders suggest that tighter SIM regulations, reduced multi-SIM usage, and market saturation might have contributed to the decline in mobile internet subscriptions.
Meanwhile, the total number of mobile phone subscribers edged up slightly to 185.84 million in February 2026, from 185.80 million in January, although the number was less than that of 185.89 million in December 2025.
Among operators, Grameenphone maintained its lead with 84.36 million subscribers, followed by Robi Axiata with 57.30 million and Banglalink with 37.35 million. State-run Teletalk's subscriber base stood at 6.82 million.
On a longer-term basis, the mobile subscriber base remained relatively stable, fluctuating within a narrow band over the past year after peaking at over 196 million in mid-2024.
Analysts say the divergence between declining internet users and stable mobile subscriptions suggests that while SIM ownership remains high, active internet usage is under pressure, possibly due to affordability concerns, data pricing, and changing consumption patterns.
The data highlights a growing challenge for the country's digital ecosystem, as sustaining internet growth remains critical for supporting digital services, e-commerce, and broader economic development.
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