Bangladesh’s mobile network operators are working to improve 4G service quality following the implementation of stricter performance benchmarks by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in September 2025. The new regulations mandate a minimum 4G download speed of 10 Mbps and a 2 Mbps upload speed nationwide, a significant increase from the previous 2018 standards.
Data from Ookla’s Speedtest Intelligence indicates that, as of January 2026, the median 4G download speed in Bangladesh stood at 31.15 Mbps, and upload speeds reached 12.22 Mbps, exceeding the BTRC’s new requirements. All major operators – Banglalink, Grameenphone, Robi, Airtel, and state-owned Teletalk – surpassed the benchmarks at the national level during the fourth quarter of 2025.
Banglalink led the market with a median download speed of 31.22 Mbps, a performance attributed to the company’s decision to phase out its 3G services in May 2024 and reallocate spectrum for 4G use. Grameenphone followed closely with 30.69 Mbps, supported by its acquisition of additional spectrum in the 2.6 GHz and 700 MHz bands. Robi and Airtel recorded median download speeds of 29.31 Mbps and 28.48 Mbps, respectively, whereas Teletalk achieved 21.38 Mbps.
Despite the positive national median figures, a significant disparity exists in service quality for users in areas with challenging coverage. Analysis of the bottom 10th percentile of users reveals that operators frequently fail to meet the minimum regulatory requirements in several administrative regions. This suggests that current infrastructure density is insufficient to guarantee consistent service for all users, particularly those in rural or remote locations.
The BTRC initiated discussions with internet service providers (ISPs) in September 2025 to draft guidelines under the Telecommunications Network and Licensing Policy 2025, focusing on fixed telecom service licenses. The Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) emphasized the need to prevent other licensees from extending fiber-optic cables directly to customers, reserving that role for ISPs. ISPAB also requested assurances that internet connectivity service (ICS) and application service providers (ANS) would not face discriminatory regulations.
The new Quality of Service (QoS) framework extends beyond mobile operators to include National Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) operators and ISPs. The policy also tightens standards for voice quality, fixed broadband, and customer service, with the BTRC conducting monthly compliance checks starting in September 2025. These checks include drive tests to assess accessibility, retainability, and network integrity.
Ookla’s data indicates a slight upward trend in 4G median download speeds over the 18-month period from August 2024 to January 2026, rising from 27.28 Mbps to 31.15 Mbps. 4G median upload speeds also saw a marginal increase, from 10.88 Mbps to 12.22 Mbps. While operators have focused on expanding downlink capacity to support data consumption, improvements in uplink capacity have been less pronounced.
The BTRC’s enforcement of the 10 Mbps minimum 4G speed requirement is intended to improve service quality and enhance user experience across Bangladesh. However, the performance gap between median speeds and the experience of users in the bottom 10th percentile highlights the need for targeted infrastructure investment and network densification to ensure consistent service for all citizens.
