Published : 02 Sep 2025, 04:58 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:44 PM
Bangladesh’s two largest mobile operators Grameenphone and Robi announced the commercial launch of fifth-generation (5G) services, promising significantly higher internet speeds without raising package prices.
The rollouts, for now concentrated in urban centres, mark the first steps toward rapid nationwide expansion, both companies said on Monday.
Customers, however, must use 5G-enabled handsets to access the faster service.
According to the operators, internet speed under 5G will be 10 to 15 times higher than current 4G levels.
Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman said 5G is now live across all eight divisional cities.
“We are proud to launch 5G in Bangladesh’s key urban hubs, bringing transformative technology to people’s hands,” he said.
Robi, which announced launches across seven sites in three divisions, called it the first commercial 5G rollout in Bangladesh.
Robi’s Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer Shahed Alam said, “We launched today in selected parts of Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet, where device penetration is higher and critical infrastructure exists.
“Starting from these seven sites, we will expand gradually, aiming for more than 200 sites by November.”
He added that Robi will prioritise areas -- urban or rural -- where 15 to 20 percent of users already have 5G-ready devices.
NO EXTRA COST FOR NOW
Both operators confirmed that subscribers in 5G coverage zones will not face higher charges initially. Data packages remain the same, but faster speeds may lead to higher consumption.
“Data prices remain unchanged. Normal users will get 5G speeds at 4G rates, with no need to buy separate packages,” said Robi’s Shahed.
“Anyone with a 5G-enabled handset within coverage will automatically access the service, often without realising it -- except the internet will be much faster.”
Grameenphone’s Head of External Communications Ankit Sureka echoed, “Customers will not pay extra. It is purely a technology upgrade -- the existing packs will deliver 5G speeds.”
Operators shared early results from internal testing.
At Grameenphone offices, download speeds reached 551Mbps with uploads at 64Mbps, Ankit said.
Shahed reported speeds up to 622Mbps in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, its Tejgaon office, and Chattogram’s Khulshi.
“On average, users can expect 70–80Mbps, scaling to 100–220Mbps depending on location, tower distance, and user density,” he said.
By contrast, current 4G speeds typically range between 10 and 30Mbps in Bangladesh.
