Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has recommended extending the existing bilateral tower sharing agreements among the country’s four mobile operators until 30 June 2026, allowing them to continue direct infrastructure sharing during the transition to a new licensing framework.
The recommendation covers Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink and Teletalk and will allow them to directly share 3,704 base transceiver station (BTS) towers among themselves until the end of June 2026.
The four mobile operators applied for the extension through the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB), seeking continuation of the existing arrangement beyond its current validity.
After reviewing the application in line with relevant rules and regulations, BTRC recommended extending the tenure, citing the ongoing migration process to a new structure under the Telecommunication Network and Licensing Policy 2023 and the draft Cellular Mobile Service Provider (CMSP) guidelines.
Bangladesh introduced tower sharing licences in 2018 to strengthen telecommunications infrastructure and improve efficiency. Four licensed tower companies were assigned responsibility for constructing new towers and managing infrastructure sharing in place of direct arrangements between mobile operators.
However, the four mobile operators informed the regulator that ownership limitations and operational constraints of the licensed tower companies have prevented them from ensuring expected baseline tower services despite several years of implementation.
They said the performance of some tower companies has not been satisfactory, resulting in complications in network expansion and service rollouts across the country.
According to the four mobile operators, tripartite sharing through tower companies adds additional overhead costs without significant value addition.
They argued that such an arrangement increases financial pressure on mobile operators and may ultimately be reflected in higher service charges for consumers.
By contrast, continuing the existing bilateral sharing arrangement does not impose new operational costs and keeps network management simpler and more flexible, they said.
At present, the four mobile operators collectively own 21,762 towers nationwide.
In addition to their own infrastructure, they are jointly using 3,704 towers under bilateral agreements.
Of those shared towers, Grameenphone uses 2,235, Banglalink 826 and Robi 643.
Teletalk does not participate in direct bilateral sharing.
BTRC officials said some BTS towers were being used under bilateral agreements between mobile operators even before tower companies received licences.
Those arrangements predated the Infrastructure Sharing Guidelines issued by the regulator.
The bilateral agreements were originally scheduled to expire between June and September 2025.
Following renewal applications from Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink and Teletalk, BTRC on 16 July 2025 approved an extension until December 2025.
With the transition to the new licensing framework still under way, the regulator considered it necessary to maintain continuity of the current bilateral system during the interim period.
According to BTRC, keeping bilateral tower sharing in place until full migration to the new regime will help control costs, avoid operational disruption for mobile operators and ensure policy continuity.
Sector insiders believe the extension is expected to prevent additional expenses for mobile operators in the near term and reduce the likelihood of any immediate increase in mobile call and internet service charges for consumers, at a time when network expansion and digital investment demands remain high.
