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Bd

National Anthem

Basics[]

Operators[]

There remain 4 mobile network operators in Bangladesh according to BTRC ( btrc.gov.bd )

Bangladeshi SIM Card Mobile Operators Teletalk GP Robi Banglalink

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 mereged 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:

Bangladesh also offers tourist sim card at airport. SIM Card Sales Location on Dhaka Airport is given below:

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 area There are no network except Teletalk.

Also in most tourist spot 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.

Advertisement Banner of Bangladeshi Mobile Phone - SIM Card operator Teletalk (AmaderPhone)

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.

Logo light

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:[]
  1. All Prepaid & Postpaid subscribers are eligible to avail these offers.
  2. 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.
  3. 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[]

GP - Grameenphone Ltd[]

Grameenphone

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[]


Banglalink - Banglalink Digital Communication Company Ltd[]

Banglalink-logo

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[]

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.

Robi

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[]

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