Major Relief for Mobile Users: BTRC to Boost Indoor Network and Internet Speeds

In a major move to resolve persistent indoor network issues and slow internet speeds, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has initiated a plan to allocate spectrum from the ‘E-GSM’ band to mobile operators.

This initiative aims to strengthen signal penetration and improve the overall quality of service for millions of subscribers across the country. While approximately 40% of mobile users reside in urban areas with relatively stable connectivity, the remaining 60% in suburban and rural regions continue to face significant challenges.

Frequent call drops, weak signals inside buildings, and sluggish data speeds have become a common grievance, prompting the regulator to step in with technical upgrades. The BTRC currently holds 8.4 MHz of spectrum in the E-GSM band. Leading mobile operators Robi and Banglalink have already requested allocations of 3.4 MHz each to bolster their network capacity.

To ensure that this frequency does not interfere with the 850 MHz band in border areas, a one-month experimental trial has been launched. A successful trial will pave the way for a formal rollout, allowing operators to utilize frequencies that are more effective at penetrating walls and reaching remote locations. This follows the recent allocation of the 700 MHz band to Grameenphone, which was also aimed at improving rural and indoor coverage.

Robi officials have confirmed that their infrastructure is already compatible with E-GSM technology, which would allow them to upgrade services for customers almost immediately after receiving the allocation. Banglalink has stated that its future investment decisions regarding this band will depend on the final results of the ongoing trials. Industry experts believe that once the E-GSM band is fully operational, mobile users will experience a significant transformation in connectivity, including stronger signals and higher data speeds.

The full implementation of the E-GSM band is expected to result in stronger indoor mobile signals, even in high-rise or densely packed buildings. There will be a substantial reduction in call drops and enhanced stability for mobile internet. Furthermore, the initiative will lead to improved network quality in rural and remote regions of Bangladesh. This effort is seen as a crucial step toward bridging the digital divide and ensuring that high-quality telecommunication services are accessible to all citizens, regardless of their geographic location.