National Anthem
Basics[]
Operators[]
There remain 4 mobile network operators in Bangladesh according to BTRC ( btrc.gov.bd )
Logo of Mobile Network in Bangladesh
- TeleTalk (state-owned - Under Ministry of Post & Telecommunication)
- Grameenphone (joint venture with Telenor)
- Banglalink (by VEON - a subsidiary of Telenor)
- Robi Axiata (by Malaysian Axiata Group and Indian Bharti Airtel Ltd)
The 3 biggest private operators GrameenPhone, Banglalink and Robi have more than 95% of all customers. State owned TeleTalk is now growing. Another provider called Citycell based on GSM-incompatible CDMA was shut down in 2016/7 for not paying its dues. Airtel Bangladesh merged into Robi.
Frequencies[]
With all operators 2G is on 900 and 1800 MHz. 3G up to HSPA+ on 2100 MHz is still in the population centers mostly. In 2017 the regulator has made all licenses technology-neutral and will give out new spectrum in 2018. The three operators Grameenphone, Robi-Airtel and Banglalink have started 4G/LTE in February 2018.
Registration[]
To purchase a SIM card, the official legal requirements are a registration with:
- one or two passport size color photographs
- photo copy of the passport and visa of Bangladesh
There are some shops or street vendors who will not ask for it. But by law it's required and you should be ready to show and provide it. The price for a SIM card is usually between 100 and 500 BDT. After getting out from the airport exit door, SIM cards may be bought from snack shops located outside the airport. Alternatively, you may visit any top-up or service center of the mobile operators. Wherever you go, you will find within 100 meters some mobile SIM card and top-up vendors.
In 2015 a SIM registration system has been established. Bangladeshis can send their national ID number by SMS. Foreigners should go to the shops for registration showing their passport/visa. All unregistered SIM cards are to be blocked and discontinued after an April 30th, 2016 deadline.
Top-ups[]
You can go to almost any phone shop to top-up prepaid credit. You don’t have to go to the provider whose network you’re using. Some corner shops also do top-ups. The usual phrase used for topping-up your phone in Bangladesh is ‘flexi-load' for GP, 'TeleCharge' for Teletalk, 'i Top UP' for Banglalink & 'EasyLoad' for Robi.
Censorship[]
In November 2015 the government blocked social media and messenging apps like Facebook, Viber, Whatsapp, Line and some more on all providers for a few days because of security concerns.
Taxes[]
Unfortunately the providers display rates with or without taxes. From 2017 add at total of 21% taxes (15% VAT sales tax and 5% telecom tax plus 1% supplementary duty) to all given prices of Airtel and Teletalk, while in Grameenphone's, Robi's and Banglalink's rates taxes are already included.
No short-time packages[]
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has scrapped all voice and data packages with up to six days validity. All mobile operators were asked to implement the BTRC directive, which states that all voice/data packages must have validity of between seven and 30 days, from 9 December 2018.
Tourist SIM Card in Bangladesh:
Bangladeshi operators also offer tourist SIM cards at airport. SIM Card Sales Location on Dhaka Airport is given below:
- GP Sales Point Airport: Map: https://goo.gl/maps/2Dstctx65zQhYwNy5
- Robi Sales Point Airport: Address: robi.com.bd/en/personal/customer-service
- Teletalk Sales Point Airport: Phone: +8801550157707 Map: https://goo.gl/maps/zSC4nHBRQSvAjZ6BA
- Banglalink Sales Point Airport: Map: https://goo.gl/maps/nUJeaQLSqYx8iuTE7
TeleTalk (Amader Phone) - Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd[]
Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd., brand name Teletalk (Bengali: টেলিটক) is a state-owned mobile phone company. It's the smallest operator of all mobile phone services in Bangladesh with a 2% market share caring for only 6.78 million out of 180 million mobile users. Teletalk is the first operator to provide unlimited validity on internet plan. Teletalk is the 1st operator to provide 5G (test transmission) in bangladesh since 2021. Teletalk provides internet & voice sevice at cheapest rate. It's service is not as good as others but trying to improve regularly. But those traveller's who want to visit Sundarban, Dublar Char Island, Katka Sea Beach, Jamtola Beach or Remote HillTrack area must carry a Teletalk SIM Card because in some areas there are no other networks present except Teletalk.
Also in most tourist spots of Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachhari Hill area, Only Teletalk and Robi (another operator) has good coverage, Even country's #1 operator GrameenPhone has no coverage there.
So you can carry a TeleTalk sim card as a secondery SIM.
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Teletalk Bangladesh Limited is a public limited company, registered under the Registrar of the Joint stock companies of Bangladesh. Total shares owned by the Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh.
They continue to grow and engage our customers through our clear commitment to offering high quality products and services as well as leading customer retention and loyalty programmers. Teletalk continues to be a part of the revolution that’s connecting millions of Bangladeshi people and around the world.
Teletalk Bangladesh limited was established keeping a specific role in mind. Teletalk has forged ahead and strengthened its path over the years and achieved some feats truly to be proud of, as the only Bangladeshi mobile operator and the only operator with 100% native technical and engineering human resource base, Teletalk thrives to become the true people’s phone – “Amader Phone”.
61% of Its BTS is 4G.
Availability[]
Their SIM cards can be bought at their Customer Care Centers (list) for 150 BDT plus tax. Default pack is called Sagotom (Welcome in English), but many other packs are available too. They differ slightly for the default rate, but the same packages can be added to all lines.
You can top-up by voucher of Tk. 20-1000 giving 60-365 days of validty or recharge from myteletalk app or online using a debit / credit card. Check balance by *152# or on MyTeletalk App
Data feature packages[]
Default rate for Projonmo is Tk. 0.01 per 30 KB. They have a multidude of data plans available, that are on 3G/4G too where available:
Unlimited Validity Data Packs
Recharge 127 tk to get 6GB for lifetime validity.
Recharge 309 tk to get 26GB for lifetime validity.
New Exclusive Regular Data Packs[]
| Volume & Price | Validity | USSD Activation | Short Code | Recharge to Activate | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepaid | Postpaid | |||||
| 1GB @Tk.21 |
3 Days | *111*534# |
E21 |
E21 |
Tk. 21 | |
| 1GB @Tk.27 | 7 Days | *111*27# | E27 | F01 | Tk.27 | |
| 1GB @Tk.49 | 30 Days | *111*49# | DPSS1 | F02 | Tk.49 | |
| 2GB @Tk.93 | 30 Days | *111*93# | E93 | F03 | Tk.93 | |
| 3GB @Tk.44 | 5 Days | *111*44# | P44 | F44 | Tk.44 | Data not Carry Forward |
| 3GB @Tk.66 | 10 Days | *111*66# | E66 | F04 | Tk.66 | |
| 10GB @Tk.97 | 10 Days | *111*97# | E97 | F05 | Tk.97 | Data not Carry Forward |
| 25GB @Tk.198 | 10 Days | *111*198# | E198 | F06 | Tk.198 | Data not Carry Forward |
| 30GB @Tk.344 | 30 Days | *111*344# | SP30 | FP30 | Tk.344 | Data not Carry Forward |
Regular Data Packs[]
| Volume & Price | Validity | USSD Activation | Short Code | Recharge to Activate | Comments | |
| Prepaid | Postpaid | |||||
| 100 MB @ Tk.9 | 5 Days | *111*501# | D51 | F51 | Tk.9 | |
| 500 MB @ Tk.26 | 30 Days | *111*503# | D82 | F82 | Tk.26 | |
| 3.5 GB @ Tk.78 | 10 Days | *111*511# | D58 | F58 | Tk.78 | |
| 3 GB @ Tk.139 | 30 Days | *111*531# | D31 | F21 | Tk.139 | |
| 5 GB @ Tk.201 | 30 Days | *111*532# | D20 | F20 | Tk.201 | |
| 10 GB @ Tk.239 | 30 Days | *111*550# | D21 | F22 | Tk.239 | |
| 15 GB @ Tk.129 | 7 Days | *111*551# | D22 | F9 | Tk.129 | |
| 20 GB @ Tk.301 | 30 Days | *111*552# | D26 | F28 | Tk.301 | |
| 45 GB @ Tk.445 | 30 Days | *111*445# | P445 | F445 | Tk.445 | |
The Price Is Including All Taxes.[]
You Can Avail Your Desired Data Pack Through Any Of The Following Methods[]
- Recharge exactly the given amount.
- Dial the USSD activation code
- Write the short code in SMS option and send to 111
Combo Offers ( Includes Voice Call, SMS & Internet )[]
| SL | Minute | SMS | Data | Offer Price | Validity | USSD Code | SMS Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 | 10 | 1 GB | Tk. 33 | 4 Days | *111*106# | C6 |
| 2 | 55 | 50 | 1 GB | Tk. 50 | 7 Days | *111*102# | C2 |
| 3 | 150 | 120 | 1.2 GB | Tk. 101 | 30 Days | *111*103# | C3 |
| 4 | 250 | 300 | 5 GB | Tk. 199 | 30 Days | *111*104# | C4 |
| 5 | 100 | 50 | 10 GB | Tk. 209 | 30 Days | *111*107# | C7 |
| 6 | 370 | 20 | 2 GB | Tk. 224 | 30 Days | *111*108# | C8 |
| 7 | 350 | 100 | 10 GB | Tk. 299 | 30 Days | *111*105# | C5 |
| 8 | 490 | 50 | 5 GB | Tk. 297 | 30 Days | *111*109# | C9 |
| 9 | 500 | 500 | 12 GB | Tk. 399 | 30 Days | *111*110# | C10 |
| 10 | 800 | 150 | 35 GB | Tk. 548 | 30 Days | *111*111# | C11 |
| 11 | 900 | 100 | 40 GB | Tk. 598 | 30 Days | *111*112# | C12 |
| 12 | 1000 | 250 | 50 GB | Tk. 648 | 30 Days | *111*113# | C13 |
Modality:[]
- All Prepaid & Postpaid subscribers are eligible to avail these offers.
- Subscriber can activate these data packs by typing the respective shortcode and send SMS to 111 (Free of charge) or by dialing the USSD code.
- Prepaid customers can also activate the desired data pack through recharge of the mentioned amount.
To all packages add 21% taxes. Unused data will be carried forward if same data package is availed before expiration of existing data pack. To check data volume text letter 'u' to 111.
More info[]
- APN: wapiu
- Website: http://www.teletalk.com.bd
GP - Grameenphone Ltd[]
Grameenphone (Bengali: গ্রামীণফোন) is also known as GP, a joint venture between Norway's Telenor and Grameen Telecom Corp. It's the largest operator in the country with more than 53 million subscribers or a 46% market share in 2019 when it was declared dominant player by the regulator.
100% of Its BTS is 4G.
Availability[]
They sell a lot of different prepaid starter packs: Nishciento, Bondhu, djuice and more. All are sold for 100 BDT (tax incl.) and differ only for voice and text as they don't contain data at all. You can get their SIM card everywhere and at their stores (locator). They also have a counter selling SIM cards as you exit customs at the airport (open even at 3am!).
Data feature packages[]
Default rate outside of packages is 1.22 BDT per MB, activation and termination of the packs: *121*3000#. These packages can be activated on all prepaid plans:
| Volume | Time | Price (Tk.) | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5MB | 2 days | 2.67 BDT | *121*3002# |
| 1GB | 7 days | 77 BDT | https://www.grameenphone.com/internet-package-activation/step-1/5606 |
| 5GB | 30 days | 299 BDT | https://www.grameenphone.com/internet-package-activation/step-1/7538 |
| 10GB | 30 days | 399 BDT | https://www.grameenphone.com/internet-package-activation/step-1/6694 |
| 25GB | 30 days | 649 BDT | https://www.grameenphone.com/internet-package-activation/step-1/6696 |
| 50 GB | 30 days | 998 BDT | https://www.grameenphone.com/internet-package-activation/step-1/6698 |
| 15 GB | 30 days | 498 BDT | https://www.grameenphone.com/internet-package-activation/step-1/7565 |
| 512MB | 3 days | 28 BDT | https://www.grameenphone.com/internet-package-activation/step-1/8100 |
| 3 GB | 30 days | 289 BDT | https://www.grameenphone.com/internet-package-activation/step-1/6692 |
| 1GB | 30 days | 189 BDT | https://www.grameenphone.com/internet-package-activation/step-1/6690 |
Activation is online through here or by activation code. Overuse is charged at 1.22 BDT per MB. To cancel your internet ackage, dial *121*3041#.
More information[]
- APN: gpInternet
- Website: http://www.grameenphone.com
Banglalink - Banglalink Digital Communication Company Ltd[]
Banglalink (Bengali: বাংলালিংক), managed by internatl. VEON is the 2nd provider in the country. It has more than 31 million customers and a 26% market share serving all 64 districts by 2G and since 2014 by 3G too. They started in Dhakar in 2013 with 3G and cover at least all towns by now (3G coverage map). 4G/LTE started in 2018 in Chittagong and Khulna & Now available across the country
Its country's Fastest mobile network as per ookla speedtest award.
78% of Its BTS is 4G.
Availability[]
They sell their prepaid starter packs called Play, Desh or 1 sec pulse in their shops (sales and care centers) for around 100 taka. For data it doesn't make any difference which offer to choose, because none of them cointain data for a start.
There and at their sales points, you can get top-ups by scratch cards ranging from 10 to 1000 taka. To add a top-up by code, dial *123*<14-digit PIN>#. Furthermore, you can top-up online by credit card or using electronic recharges called iTop-up.
Data featured packages[]
Data outside of packages is 1 paisa per 1 KB. They have a long list of so-called data packages. The following prices are with taxes included:
| Volume | Time | Price (Tk.) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 MB | 1 day | 13 BDT |
| 150 MB | 7 days | 26 BDT |
| 250 MB | 36 BDT | |
| 1.5 GB | 30 days | 209 BDT |
| 3 GB | 399 BDT | |
| 5 GB | 499 BDT |
All packages don't auto-renew after being used up. You can activate anytime a new package. Activation is done online. Once pack volume is exhausted, 1 paisa / 10 KB charge will be applied and speed will be reduced to 128 kbps to protect. To check pack balance, dial *5000*500#.
Banglalink has also introduced so-called recharge packs. These are only available by iTopUp when you need to top-up the exact amount to trigger a data package:
| Data | Time | Top-up (tax incl.) |
|---|---|---|
| 150 MB | 7 days | 26 BDT |
| 250 MB | 36 BDT | |
| 250 MB | 30 days | 47 BDT |
| 1.5 GB | 209 BDT | |
| 5 GB | 499 BDT | |
| 25 GB | 1,799 BDT |
Taxes are included in prices. Check data volume of recharge packs by *124*50#.
A social pack for WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter is issued with max. 100 MB in 7 days at 7 BDT. To activate type 5000*576# with auto-renewal or *5000*476# without, balance check *500*5000#
More Information[]
- APN: blweb
- Website: http://www.banglalink.com.bd/
Robi - Robi Axiata Ltd[]
Robi Axiata Limited, second-ranked operator behind Grameenphone and in front of Banglalink in user number terms. The isi in Bangladesh is owned by Axiata (68.7%), Bharti Airtel (31.3.0%); Robi Axiata started 4G/LTE in 2018 in all 64 district capitals of the country.
98% of Its BTS is 4G.
Availability[]
From 2015 onwards, Robi started simplifying its prepaid product portfolio. From a bucket of 10 prepaid packages, Robi streamlined its portfolio down to 5 prepaid packages called. All starters are sold at Tk. 100 in their stores (store finder). They all contain only minimal data for the start and differ in voice and SMS rates only.
You can top-up at their self-service mobile balance recharge Kiosk-machines fixed denominations of BDT 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 & 1000. Or buy scratch cards giving you 30-365 days validity. To enter PIN, type *111*<scratch PIN>#. To enquire account balance and validity, type *1#.
Robi Data feature packages[]
Default rate is 0.015 BDT per KB, overuse fee of packages 0.01 BDT per 10 KB. They offer these data packages. In these prices below 21% tax is already included:
| Volume | Time | Price (Tk.) | Activation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 MB | 1 day | 3.44 BDT | *123*004# |
| 45 MB | 12.20 BDT | *123*782# | |
| 150 MB | 3 days | 23 BDT | ???? |
| 200 MB | 1 day | 20 BDT | *123*0020# |
| 2 GB | 2 days | 27 BDT | *123*027# |
| 3 GB | 2 days | 41 BDT | *123*041# |
| 1.5 GB | 7 days | 101 BDT | *123*101# |
| 4 GB | 108 BDT | *123*0108# | |
| 6 GB | 129 BDT | *123*0129# | |
| 10 GB | 199 BDT | *123*0199# | |
| 500 MB | 30 days | 119 BDT | *123*0119# |
| 2 GB | 316 BDT | *123*085# | |
| 7 GB | 649 BDT | *123*7168# | |
| 20 GB | 911 BDT | *123*0996# | |
| 30 GB | 219 BDT | *123*0219# |
All packages auto-renew. To deactivate, dial *8444#. You can purchase same pack multiple times to top-up internet volume. To check internet balance, dial *8444*88# or *3#.
More information[]
- APN: INTERNET
- http://www.robi.com.bd/en/