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Bangladesh is considering phasing out its 2G mobile network by 2029 while introducing measures such as easy installment (EMI) facilities and SIM-lock technology to make smartphones more affordable and accelerate the country’s digital transformation.
The plans were outlined by BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdadul Bari while speaking as the chief guest at an event organized by Grameenphone in Dhaka on Thursday.
The BTRC chief said future digital inequality would no longer depend solely on internet access but increasingly on the quality of internet services. He stressed that meaningful digital inclusion requires improvements in connectivity, affordable devices, digital literacy and supporting infrastructure.
According to the chairman, 98.9% of Bangladeshi households have access to mobile connectivity, but around 35% of the population still remains outside effective network coverage. He also noted that only 44% to 47% of the population are regular internet users, while nearly 90% rely on mobile broadband, highlighting a structural weakness in the country’s digital ecosystem. Significant disparities also persist between urban and rural internet usage.
To improve service quality, the BTRC has reached an agreement with mobile operators on a unified standard for measuring network performance. Starting next quarter, the regulator will begin publishing nationwide mobile network quality data. The chairman also noted that the auction of the 700 MHz spectrum has already been completed to strengthen 4G services.
To increase smartphone adoption, the government is working to expand EMI financing, approve SIM-lock technology, and facilitate smartphone purchases through mobile wallet services. However, he cautioned that the rising cost of processors and high-speed memory driven by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies could increase the production cost of AI-enabled smartphones in the future.
Emdadul Bari also expressed concern over the country’s low level of digital literacy, saying 85% of young people aged 15 to 24 lack basic digital skills. He called for developing at least one digitally skilled person in every household and proposed transforming Union Digital Centers into online “digital lighthouses” while creating a network of paid “digital ambassadors” to improve digital literacy across the country.