Bangladesh’s telecom regulator is moving to auction 8.4 megahertz of eGSM spectrum to help mobile operators expand coverage and improve service quality, despite technical tests finding significant interference risks in parts of the band, especially near the Indian border.
eGSM, or Extended Global System for Mobile Communications spectrum, is a lower-frequency band that carries signals farther and penetrates buildings better than higher-frequency bands. For operators, it is valuable for expanding rural coverage and improving indoor connectivity.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) approved the auction plan after a technical assessment found that interference risks vary across the spectrum.
While one portion faces wider technical challenges, another remains relatively cleaner, prompting the regulator to consider different pricing for different blocks.
The decision was taken at a BTRC Commission meeting in May, nearly two years after an earlier lower-band spectrum allocation plan was shelved following objections from operators over possible interference, additional filter costs and potential impact on network coverage.
A BTRC technical committee formed in February 2026 compared eGSM and 850 MHz bands to assess their suitability, pricing and interference-related constraints. The committee conducted tests with mobile operators in Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Cumilla, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal and Cox’s Bazar, as well as different parts of Dhaka.
The assessment covered 8.4 MHz of eGSM spectrum — 880–888.4 MHz and paired frequencies of 925–933.4 MHz — and divided the band into two portions.
The 5 MHz block covering 880–885 MHz and 925–930 MHz showed significant interference in border areas of Rangpur, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Cumilla and Chattogram. Interference levels were very low in Rajshahi and Khulna, while none was detected during the assessment in Barishal, Cox’s Bazar or Dhaka.
The committee estimated that interference in this block could affect around 40–50 per cent of the country’s area, depending on location and network coverage.
The 3.4 MHz block covering 885–888.4 MHz and 930–933.4 MHz performed better. Significant interference was detected only in Rangpur, while levels were very low in Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Cumilla and Chattogram. No interference was detected in Barishal, Cox’s Bazar or Dhaka.
The committee estimated that the impact of interference in this block could remain limited to around 5–10 per cent of the country’s area.
The findings show that cross-border signals, particularly from India, remain a key challenge for parts of the eGSM band. Such interference can weaken network performance, causing unstable connections, poorer call quality and weaker coverage in affected areas.
For operators, managing the issue may require additional investment in filters, frequency planning and network adjustments. The committee also warned that interference could increase in future depending on network expansion in neighbouring countries.
Despite these concerns, the committee found eGSM more suitable than 850 MHz for operators’ immediate lower-band needs, mainly because of device compatibility.
Nearly all mobile users can use eGSM for 2G services, while smartphone support for 850 MHz remains comparatively limited. The committee sees 850 MHz as a longer-term option and recommended using eGSM until 2030 before shifting towards 850 MHz.
It also suggested that BTRC prepare around 20 MHz of 850 MHz spectrum for allocation after 2030. Robi’s existing 1.6 MHz eGSM allocation would not be renewed after 2030, with emissions from its base stations on that spectrum phased out.
Under the latest plan, the 8.4 MHz eGSM spectrum will be divided into three blocks — 1.6 MHz, 3.4 MHz and 3.4 MHz. Since Robi and Banglalink have both sought 3.4 MHz blocks, BTRC decided to allocate the available spectrum through auction.
Pricing will reflect the technical differences between the blocks. BTRC has proposed a base price of Tk237 crore per megahertz for 15 years for the relatively cleaner 3.4 MHz block.
Because the block still faces some regional interference and would be available only until 2030, the government may consider a 10 per cent reduction in the base price.
The more affected 5 MHz block may receive a 25 per cent reduction from the Tk237 crore per megahertz benchmark because it cannot be used nationwide and would also be available only until 2030.
The proposals will be sent to the Posts and Telecommunications Division for policy approval. The government may set a different price after considering investment requirements and other factors.
The latest move follows a 2024 dispute over Grameenphone’s request for 850 MHz spectrum to strengthen lower-band coverage.
Robi and Banglalink objected, arguing that deploying 850 MHz alongside their existing eGSM and 900 MHz networks could create interference and force them to install costly filters at their sites. They also warned that such measures could affect coverage quality.
A proof-of-concept test at the time indicated that 850 MHz use could interfere with existing 900 MHz networks. The dispute centred on whether one operator could gain additional spectrum while others would bear the technical and financial costs of protecting their networks.
That plan was ultimately not implemented. Instead, BTRC conducted a broader review of lower-band spectrum options, making eGSM the short-term solution while keeping 850 MHz as a longer-term option.
The latest decision reflects BTRC’s attempt to expand access to valuable low-band spectrum while ensuring that technical limitations are reflected in allocation decisions and pricing.
