BTCL to Launch Mobile Virtual Network Operator Services Soon in Bangladesh
Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL), the country’s largest state-owned telecom operator, is preparing to enter the mobile services market as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). The move marks a major milestone in Bangladesh’s telecom industry, as MVNO services will be introduced for the first time in the country.
According to Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant on the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, the new Telecom Network and Licensing Policy 2025 has removed barriers to launching MVNO operations. In a Facebook post, Taiyeb confirmed that BTCL will soon roll out triple-play and quad-play services, offering a combination of voice, data, devices, and entertainment packages.
Unlimited Voice & Data with Entertainment Services
BTCL’s MVNO services will be provided through BTCL SIM cards and the BTCL Alap IP Phone app, enabling unlimited voice calls under specific conditions. For data, BTCL plans to leverage its GPON and ISP infrastructure to provide unlimited internet access. Entertainment offerings will include OTT platforms such as Bongo, Chorki, and Hoichoi, with the possibility of adding global platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime in the future.
Affordable Smartphones on Installment
To bridge the device accessibility gap, BTCL also intends to launch an installment-based smartphone purchase program. Citizens will be able to buy smartphones at just Tk 500 per month with a one-year package and a small down payment. Taiyeb noted that this initiative aims to support lower-income and grassroots communities who struggle to afford smartphones due to high one-time costs. Local manufacturers are reportedly on board to provide affordable yet reliable devices under this scheme.
Boosting Competition with MVNOs
An MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) is a telecom provider that delivers services such as calls, SMS, and data without owning network infrastructure. Instead, it leases capacity from existing operators and resells it under its own brand. MVNOs are known globally for offering flexible, low-cost, and consumer-focused plans, targeting niche markets like students, expatriates, or rural users.
Globally, MVNOs operate in over 80 countries. Examples include Tesco Mobile in the UK, Aldi Talk in Germany, Lycamobile (serving 20+ countries with affordable international calls), and Consumer Cellular in the US, which focuses on senior citizens with simple, affordable plans.
By adopting the MVNO model, Bangladesh is set to expand telecom competition, provide more consumer choices, and improve network utilization efficiency.
Telecom Policy 2025 Opens the Door
Following the September 22 gazette notification, the Telecommunications Network and Licensing Policy 2025 officially recognized MVNOs in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) will now prepare detailed MVNO licensing guidelines under a proportionate regulatory framework—allowing both full-scale and light-touch licenses depending on market scope.
What’s Next?
BTCL is expected to provide full details of its MVNO rollout and related services at a media briefing in October 2025. The initiative is widely seen as a game-changer that could reshape Bangladesh’s telecom market by enhancing device affordability, expanding access to voice and data, and delivering integrated digital entertainment.
Taiyeb concluded his announcement by saying:
“We want to remove the barriers of limited voice, limited data, limited content, and device restrictions in people’s communication and entertainment.”
With BTCL’s upcoming entry into the mobile space, industry experts believe that consumers will soon benefit from competitive pricing, innovative packages, and broader access to digital services.
