Bangladesh Enters 5G Era with Major Network Launches

Bangladesh has officially entered the 5G era, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s digital journey.

Robi Axiata became the first operator to commercially launch 5G services at its Dhaka headquarters on Monday. The network is now live in select high-traffic areas of Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet, with plans for wider expansion in the coming months. Customers with 5G-enabled devices can already access high-speed connectivity in these zones.

Special Assistant to the Principal Advisor on Posts, Telecommunications, and IT, Faiz Ahmed Tayyab, hailed the launch as a major step towards building a digitally empowered Bangladesh. “5G is more than faster internet—it opens doors to economic growth, healthcare, education, and smart city development,” he said.

Robi’s Acting CEO, M. Riaz Rashid, credited the rapid rollout to government support and partnerships with Ericsson and Huawei. “This commercial launch strengthens Bangladesh’s digital economy and global tech presence,” he noted.

Soon after, Grameenphone (GP) announced the activation of its own 5G network across all divisional cities. CEO Yasir Azman described it as a transformative leap for connectivity and digital inclusion, promising broad and reliable coverage nationwide.

BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdad ul Bari welcomed the move as a “new horizon” for the telecom sector, urging operators to ensure equitable access.

With ultra-fast speeds, low latency, and massive device support, 5G is expected to revolutionise telemedicine, education, smart cities, cloud gaming, agriculture, logistics, and industrial automation. The technology is seen as a key driver of Bangladesh’s Digital Vision 2041.