Play store
Bangladesh is rapidly shifting towards 4G, with 4G subscriptions rising by 8.43 million in the first seven months of 2026, while fixed broadband growth remains modest.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) data showed total mobile subscriptions increased 4.64 million, or 2.5%, to 190.44 million in July from 185.80 million in January.
Mobile broadband subscriptions grew more strongly, rising from 101.57 million to 108.81 million. Mobile broadband penetration increased from 57.70% to 61.60%, while overall mobile internet penetration rose from 64.89% to 68.79%.
The shift from 3G to 4G has been particularly pronounced. Active 3G subscriptions fell by 1.07 million, or 50.47%, to 1.05 million in July from 2.12 million in January. Grameenphone and Banglalink still operate 3G services, with most remaining 3G users subscribed to the two operators.
In contrast, 4G subscriptions jumped 8.43 million, or 7.43%, to 121.92 million from 113.49 million.
Robi Axiata Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer Shahed Alam told BSS that Robi had shut down its 3G service in 2024 and now operates entirely on 4G and 2G networks.
Nearly 70% of Robi’s customers are using 4G, while the rest remain on 2G, he said. Robi’s subscriber base reached 58.77 million in July.
Total internet subscriptions increased by 7.76 million, or 6.02%, to 136.75 million in July from 128.99 million in January. Internet penetration rose from 73.28% to 77.42%.
Mobile internet accounted for most of the growth, with subscriptions increasing from 114.22 million to 121.52 million. By comparison, ISP and PSTN-based fixed internet subscriptions rose only from 14.77 million to 15.23 million.
Fixed broadband penetration edged up from 8.39% to 8.63%, far below the 61.60% penetration rate for mobile broadband.
Among the major operators, Grameenphone’s subscriptions increased by 2.68 million to 87.01 million in July from 84.33 million in January. Robi gained 1.53 million to reach 58.77 million, while Banglalink added 440,000 to reach 37.84 million.
Teletalk recorded a marginal decline of 10,000 subscriptions, ending July with 6.82 million.
Overall teledensity, covering voice and internet services, rose from 105.71% in January to 107.97% in July.
