Banglalink, the fourth and final mobile operator in Bangladesh, has been awarded a unified licence by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
The licence was presented at the BTRC office in Dhaka's Agargaon on Thursday afternoon. This completes the rollout of unified licences to all mobile operators in the country. Both the BTRC and Banglalink confirmed the news in separate press releases.
The new licences, outlined in the 'Regulatory and Licensing Guidelines for Cellular Mobile Services in Bangladesh' approved in February 2024, allow operators to provide all types of wireless mobile services, including 5G. The licence aims to improve connectivity and streamline telecommunications services by consolidating existing licences.
It also facilitates active sharing, provides clearer data retention guidelines, offers greater clarity on the audit period and rationalises various fees and charges. These measures will help promote the adoption of advanced technologies and support the 'Smart Bangladesh' initiative by enhancing service quality through innovation.
The licences are valid for 15 years and replace the previous system of separate licences and fees for 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies.
Grameenphone, Robi Axiata and Teletalk received their unified licences from State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak on 11 March.
Erik Aas, chief executive officer of Banglalink, was presented with the unified licence by BTRC Chairman Engineer Md Mohiuddin Ahmed. High-ranking officials from both the BTRC and Banglalink were present at the ceremony.
Kaan Terzio?lu, group CEO of VEON -- Banglalink's parent company, said, "This unified licence marks a timely initiative in our commitment to delivering customers the best-in-class digital experiences. I extend my sincerest appreciation to the BTRC for supporting Banglalink as it takes bold steps towards technological advancement in our shared vision of fostering a Smart Bangladesh for all."
BTRC Chairman Engineer Md Mohiuddin Ahmed said, "Awarding the unified licence to Banglalink brings us closer to our goal of a streamlined telecom sector for a Smart Bangladesh. We appreciate Banglalink's dedication to corporate governance and their role in shaping a digitally advanced future, focusing on connectivity and innovation."
Erik Aas, CEO of Banglalink, expressed his enthusiasm about acquiring the unified licence, stating it represents a significant step forward in their quest to pioneer innovative digital services through nationwide network coverage. "This milestone opens avenues for Banglalink to introduce unparalleled digital services, tailored to the evolving needs of our customers," Erik added.
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