By Aminul Hoque Polash Bangladesh’s telecom regulator has allocated 10 MHz of the highly valuable 700 MHz “golden spectrum” to Grameenphone, the country’s largest mobile operator, at the base price—sparking sharp criticism that the process amounts to state-sanctioned favouritism benefiting interests linked to interim government chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
The decision, finalised on January 21 by a joint meeting of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s (BTRC) Spectrum Auction Committee and Spectrum Management Committee, marks the first-ever commercial assignment of the 700 MHz band for mobile broadband in Bangladesh.
The 700 MHz band is a low-frequency spectrum prized globally for its superior propagation characteristics. It enables:
– Wide area coverage with fewer base stations
– Strong signal penetration into buildings, rural areas, hills, and rivers
– Enhanced efficiency for 4G and future 5G networks
– Significant cost reductions for operators while boosting network capacity
Experts describe it as a strategic national asset critical for rural connectivity, digital inclusion, and overall telecom infrastructure. Countries typically allocate it through lengthy preparations, transparent policies, market analysis, and competitive auctions to ensure fair value and balanced market outcomes.
The Allocation Process
The BTRC announced plans in late 2025 to auction up to 25 MHz in the 700 MHz band, with the event originally scheduled for January 14, 2026. Only existing operators — Grameenphone, Robi Axiata, Banglalink, and state-owned Teletalk — were eligible.
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Grameenphone and Robi initially expressed interest. However, Robi withdrew shortly before the auction, leaving Grameenphone as the sole participant. Anticipating a single-bidder scenario, the BTRC had revised rules earlier in January, capping any single operator’s acquisition at 10 MHz (down from 15 MHz).
With no competing bids, the regulator proceeded under single-bidder provisions and assigned 10 MHz (2×10 MHz paired) to Grameenphone at the fixed base price of Tk237 crore per MHz.
The total cost for Grameenphone is Tk2,370 crore, payable in instalments over 10 years, for a 15-year license (with some reports noting adjustments to a 13-year effective period, potentially lowering the final amount slightly).
Undervaluation And Conflict Of Interest
Critics, including opinion pieces and social media commentary, argue the price is significantly undervalued compared to international benchmarks and even domestic precedents.
In 2021, Bangladesh auctioned 900 MHz spectrum at a similar per-MHz rate (around Tk237 crore), despite inflation, rising data demand, and market growth over the past four years. In neighbouring India, 700 MHz allocations have fetched roughly double that amount (around Tk470 crore per MHz equivalent).
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Allocating this premium band at the same outdated base price—without competitive bidding—is seen by detractors as causing the state a potential loss of at least Tk2,500 crore, solely to favor one operator.
Grameenphone, majority-owned by Norway’s Telenor (around 55.8%) but with 34.2% held by Grameen Telecom—an entity under Dr. Yunus’s influence as its founder and key controller—stands to gain massive competitive advantages in coverage, rural penetration, and cost efficiency. This could solidify or create a de facto monopoly in key segments, critics claim.
Regulatory Capture And Personal Gain
The allocation has fueled accusations of abuse of power under the interim government led by Dr. Yunus. Opponents point to:
– The appointment of individuals allegedly aligned with Yunus’s interests to key BTRC positions shortly after the government took over.
– Direct oversight of the process by figures close to Yunus, including his special assistant in the telecom ministry with state-minister rank.
– The rapid, low-profile handling of the matter despite a High Court writ petition challenging the auction (which reportedly found no judge willing to hear it urgently).
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Such moves, according to critics, represent a clear “conflict of interest,” where decision-makers allegedly positioned allies within the regulator to facilitate benefits for entities tied to Yunus.
Government Revenue vs. Long-Term Market Impact
The government will receive Tk2,370 crore from the deal—revenue praised by some as a quick boost without prolonged delays. Grameenphone officials have welcomed the allocation, stating it will improve nationwide 4G coverage, especially in underserved and indoor environments, while enhancing network efficiency.
However, opponents warn that rushing the process without stronger competition, updated valuation, or robust network-sharing policies risks entrenching market imbalances, harming smaller operators, and undermining Bangladesh’s digital sovereignty and future telecom growth.
The controversy highlights deepening tensions over governance, resource allocation, and perceived favouritism in the telecom sector under the current administration. Whether the allocation withstands scrutiny or prompts further legal or policy challenges remains to be seen.
Aminul Hoque Polash: Security expert and former diplomat.
Bengali 
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