A robust and reliable digital infrastructure with high-speed internet connectivity and ubiquitous mobile device forms the basic foundation of fast evolving digital economy. Growing reliance on connectivity is rapidly transforming production processes, service delivery, consumer experience and social interactions in Bangladesh. Organizations, devices and individuals interconnected with high-speed Internet, Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile technologies is boosting digital platform enabled business models and facilitating digital government transformation at scale.
Mobile Network Infrastructure is driving digital transformation
Digital economy has grown rapidly in Bangladesh, driven by robust mobile network infrastructure. The Mobile Network Operators (MNOS) in Bangladesh have invested heavily in expanding the mobile network infrastructure. Widespread availability of mobile networks have fueled the rise of mobile financial services (MFS) enabling financial inclusion of millions of previously unbanked people. According to the Bangladesh Bank (BB), the total number of registered MSF accounts stood at 239.3 million in January 2025, of which 42% were women.
The MNOS have led the expansion of 4G networks making high-speed internet access widely available in urban as well as rural areas of Bangladesh. According to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), over 90% of the total internet subscribers in Bangladesh use mobile internet. As of September 2025, the number of mobile internet subscribers was 119.70 million.
Mobile internet is enabling digital inclusion and bridging the urban-rural digital divide across Bangla- desh. The MNOS are offering numerous digital services to diverse segments of customers, such as e-education, e-health, e-commerce, e-entertainment driving rapid and significant digital transformation. Mobile internet is facilitating provision of government digital services at scale, such as utility bills pay, online applications and online tax return.
Public sector digitalization is driving critical improvements in infrastructure
While the growth of critical digital infrastructure in Bangladesh has largely been financed by the private sector, public sector digitalization has concurrently driven crucial improvements in infrastructure, including the expansion of affordable broadband access and the enhancement of cybersecurity, contributing to the evolution of a thriving digital economy.
Effective digital government services rely on robust and reliable digital public infrastructure (DPI) and secure and user-friendly platforms that encourage widespread adoption and trust. The DPI consisting of a set of shared secure and interoperable digital systems is a vital enabler of inclusive delivery and access to public and private services.
Critical DPI types include common systems for digital identity and digital payments; data and information sharing, including interoperable base registries and data sharing systems; and single digital gateways for public service interaction and communication.
Public-private collaboration plays a pivotal role in designing, developing, deployment and sustainable management of a dynamic DPI ecosystem. Given the broad impact of DPI across government, society, and the economy, public-private partnerships for DPI go beyond traditional physical infrastructure and empha- size on inclusivity, transparency, and environmental responsibility. The concept of "People-first PPPs" aims at delivering not only economic value but adopts whole-of-society strategies, underscoring the importance of broader societal benefits such as equitable access to services and the reduction of the digital divide.
Connectivity is a core pillar of digital transformation
Digital Infrastructure is not limited to hard infrastructure such as optical fiber networks, optical ground wires, satellite and towers, cross-border links, data centers, data repositories, etc. Digital Infrastructure extends to the soft infrastructure, including technological applications that operate it, such as building information system (BIM), security operations centers (SOC), as well as technology services such as fintech, digital identity and e-platforms; and terminal devices such as smart grids, smart meters, as well as cell phones, tabs and computers.
A shared digital infrastructure enhances efficiency by enabling faster service deployment and reducing costs through the centralization of resources. It also ensures robust digital security and compliance; promotes consistency and interoperability; and facilitates seamless data exchange and collaboration between institutions and agencies.
Given the interconnected and interdependent nature of technology, the government has to take a forward looking approach and treat connectivity as a core pillar of digital transformation and economic growth. Delays and complexities in licenses or spectrum allocation and overcharging for spectrum directly undermine the ability of the private investors to invest in connectivity for delivering scalable digital services to businesses and consumers.
Bangladesh enters 5G era
Bangladesh has entered the 5G era on September 1, 2025, with the top two operators Robi Axiata and Grameenphone launching 5G services on a limited scale across selected metropolitan areas. The first 5G demonstration was conducted by Robi-Huawei in July 2018, followed by experimental launch by Teletalk in six locations that same year. Grameenphone conducted 5G trials in Dhaka, Chattogram, and all eight divisional cities in 2022.
However, commercial launch of 5G services faced delays due to infrastructure limitations and ecosystem readiness concerns. MNOS have cited high costs, limited demand, and insufficient ecosystem readiness as the major causes for delay in nationwide deployment of 5G services.
5G provides faster and more reliable connectivity with capability to handle far more devices simultaneously, making it crucial for the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced healthcare applications, and smart cities. The doorway for innovation, entrepreneurship, and smart solutions opens with 5G rollout, which will play an important role in taking Bangladesh's digital economy to the next stage.
Bangladesh needs to gear up for the next step of digital transformation
The Interim Government approved the Telecommunications Network and Licensing Policy 2025, introducing reforms aimed at simplifying Bangladesh's complex licensing regime. The new policy replaces previous bifurcated and multi-tiered licensing regime with a single set of rules that apply, regardless of the technology used.
Under the old licensing regime separate licenses were issued under 26 categories for international internet gateway (IIG), interconnection exchange (ICX), national internet exchange (NIX) and international gateway (IGW), which led to overlapping regulatory mandates, inefficiencies in governance, higher compliance costs and slower innovation.
Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) operators are granted license to develop, maintain and operate national network for high-capacity transmission, internet, and international bandwidth services that allows mobile operators, ISPS, and government bodies to transmit data and voice traffic across the country. All related stakeholders have shared responsibility and ought to be held responsible for disruption in seamless data and voice service delivery.
The broad licensing categories in the Telecommunications Network and Licensing Policy 2025 are, access networks such as mobile network and broadband operators; national infrastructure that includes telecom towers and fibre optic networks; international connectivity that includes submarine cables; and non-terrestrial networks. A fifth category labeled telecom-enabled services will need only registration and does not require a full license.
The new licensing policy places a strong focus on emerging services including loT, 5G and 6G networks, blockchain, mission-critical communications and quantum computing facilities.
Integration of Al in Bangladesh's public and private sector need a balanced approach and regulatory landscape that maximizes the benefits of Al while minimizing the risks associated with it. Bangladesh needs to emphasize on innovation and emerging technologies which would be crucial for overcoming the existing challenges such as digital divide, cybersecurity and digital literacy, to ensure acceleration towards sustainable digital transformation.
