Bangladesh

ETC Activities

Violence in Rakhine State which began on 25 August 2017 has driven an estimated 900,000 Rohingya refugees across the border into Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The speed and scale of the influx has resulted in a critical humanitarian emergency. The refugees in Bangladesh are now reliant on humanitarian assistance for food, and other life-saving needs. Basic services that were available prior to the influx are under severe strain due to the massive increase in people in the area. The Rohingya population in Cox’s Bazar is highly vulnerable, having fled conflict and experienced severe trauma, and now living in extremely difficult conditions. (source: IOM, Inter Sector Coordination Working Group sitrep-24 September 2017).

ICT Profile

Country background
Country name
Bangladesh
Capital city
Dhaka
Name of national disaster management agency

Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MODMR) / Disaster Management Directorate

Name of telecommunications ministry

Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology (MPTIT)

Name of telecommunications regulator

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC)

Population

166,303,494
Source: World Bank 2022

Country narrative

Bangladesh is currently facing one of the worlds largest refugee crises, with over 900,000 refugees in the country according to the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, as of 2022. National and international efforts are being closely coordinated to effectively respond to the crisis. 

Bangladesh is also one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to cyclones and floods, particularly in the country’s coastal areas. These events also have the potential to cause significant economic damage. The country’s extreme vulnerability to hydro-meteorological hazards, including storm-induced tidal flooding, is likely to increase due to climate change.  Bangladesh is also located in a seismically active and high-risk region. Dhaka, a fast-growing urban center, is one of the 20 cities most vulnerable to earthquakes in the world. High population density, compounded by rapid and unplanned urbanization, have increased vulnerability to seismic risks. To further advance the resilience agenda, priorities include:  

a. Ensuring all sector investments consider resilience to climate change and natural disasters; and, 
b. Increasing the resilience of the population to natural hazards in urban and coastal areas. This includes strengthening systems to reduce the vulnerability of future construction projects to disasters.                                                                                                                                                
Source: Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction and World Bank

Currency

BDT (Bangladeshi Taka)
Source: ISO 

INFORM risk score

5.8 (high)

Source: INFORM Risk 2019 - www.inform-index.org/

International calling code

880

Internet security code

.bd

Electrical standard

Voltage: 220V, Frequency: 50Hz, Plug type: C, D, G, K

Local UN/NGO ICT WG in place

No

CWC WG in place

No

Lead agency of CWC WG

IOM

Logistics profile information

https://dlca.logcluster.org/display/public/DLCA/Bangladesh

Key ICT statistics
Fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

0.4
Source: ITU ICTeye 2017 

Mobile-cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

9.7
Source: ITU ICTeye 2017

Fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1.9
Source: ITU ICTeye 2017

Mobile-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

30.7
Source: ITU ICTeye 2017

GSMA mobile connectivity index score

48.35 (low-med)
Source: GSMA Intelligence 2017

3G coverage % of population
Contact list

The contacts across sectors in Bangladesh are provided as follows.

Type of organization
Member
Name
Patrick Midy
Position
ETS Coordinator
Location
Cox's Bazar
Regulations and rules
Description

This describes some of the regulations and rules related to emergency telecommunications in Bangladesh. 

Regolations/Rules
Description

Through the Programme, adaptation measures have been suggested for Bangladesh to address adverse effects of climate change including variability and extreme events, based on existing coping mechanisms and practices.

Description

The overall objective of the Plan is to achieve a paradigm shift in disaster management from conventional response and relief to a more comprehensive risk reduction culture, and to promote food security as an important factor in ensuring the resilience of communities to hazards.

Policy name

Tampere

Description

According to Bangladesh’s national aviation authority, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), flying a drone is legal in Bangladesh, provided this is compliant with the national drone regulations.

Communications service providers
Mobile network operator (MNO)
Company name
Banglalink
GSMA HCC signatory
No
Parent company name (majority holding)
Telecom Ventures Ltd.
Service description
Banglalink is the third largest telecommunications service provider in Bangladesh, with coverage reaching across the country (except highland regions) including 3G and 4G provision.
Coverage map (provide URL)
N
Mobile money service available
No
Mobile money service info
Y
Fibre optic network
Yes
Voice and SMS services
Yes
3G/4G data services
Yes
Mobile network operator (MNO)
Company name
Grameenphone
GSMA HCC signatory
No
Parent company name (majority holding)
Telenor (55.8%), Grameen Telecom (34.2%) and publicly-held (10%)
Service description
Grameenphone is the leading telecommunications service provider in Bangladesh. It has 49.99% market share, providing different services such as mobile money, coverage maps, and voice and data services.
Coverage map (provide URL)
No
Mobile money service available
Yes
Fibre optic network
Yes
Voice and SMS services
Yes
3G/4G data services
Yes
Mobile network operator (MNO)
Company name
Robi Axiata
GSMA HCC signatory
No
Parent company name (majority holding)
Axiata (68.7%), Bharti (25%), NTT Docomo (6.3%)
Service description
Robi Axiata is the second largest mobile network operator of Bangladesh, providing pre-paid and post-paid mobile services. It also offers a range of products and services covering voice and data, GPRS, EDGE, 3.5G
Coverage map (provide URL)
No
Mobile money service available
Yes
Mobile money service info
Robi Axiata is the second largest mobile network operator of Bangladesh, providing pre-paid and post-paid mobile services. It also offers a range of products and services covering voice and data, GPRS, EDGE, 3.5G HSPA+, 4.5G, LTE-A, Fixed Broadband, inter
Fibre optic network
Yes
Voice and SMS services
Yes
3G/4G data services
Yes
Mobile network operator (MNO)
Company name
Teletalk
GSMA HCC signatory
No
Parent company name (majority holding)
Government of Bangladesh
Service description
Teletalk Bangladesh Limited is a public limited company. As on August 31, 2016, Teletalk has a subscriber base of 2.925 million. It is the only state-owned GSM, 3G, LTE based mobile phone operator in Bangladesh.
Coverage map (provide URL)
No
Mobile money service available
Yes
Fibre optic network
Yes
Voice and SMS services
Yes
3G/4G data services
Yes
Internet service provider (ISP)
Company name
Agni Systems Ltd.
Service description
Agni Systems Ltd. is one of the major ISPs in Bangladesh, which provides Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) and Wireless Broadband, in addition to dial-up services.
Fibre optic network
Yes
Internet service provider (ISP)
Company name
Aamra Networks
Service description
Aamra Networks provides IT solutions and services including systems integration, information systems outsourcing, core banking software, switching & networking solution supply, implementation and maintenance,
Fibre optic network
Yes
Fixed line operator
Company name
Bangladesh Telecommunications Company (BTCL)
Company description
BTCL is the largest telecommunications company in Bangladesh. BTCL provides land-line telephone services in Bangladesh's urban areas, including domestic long-distance calling and international services as well as internet services.
Fixed line operator
Company name
Bangla Phone Limited
Company description
BPL is presently providing long-haul, mid-haul, front-haul, and back-haul transmission network services. It is also providing dedicated private lease line, Ethernet services, dedicated Internet access and voice communication services.
Fixed line operator
Company name
RanksTel
Company description
RanksTel is the only private-public switched telephone network operator in Bangladesh, and the country's second largest PSTN operator.
Broadcast radio
Country name
Bangladesh Broadcast Systems
Radio station name
Bangladesh Betar
Official public broadcaster
Yes
Service description
Bangladesh Betar is the state-owned radio broadcasting organisation of Bangladesh. Its programming combines entertainment, education, information and news.
Band
AM/FM
Broadcast frequency
Various
Geographical reach
National
Electricity provider
Company name
Bangladesh Power Development Board
Supply linked to national grid
Yes
Renewable sources used (eg. solar, wind)
Yes
Service description
BPDB is a public sector organization responsible for planning and developing power infrastructure and for operating much of the power generation facilities. It is responsible for the major portion of generation and distribution of electricity mainly in ur
International Connectivity Infrastructure
Submarine cable landing station (CLS)
Submarine cable name(s)

SEA-ME-WE-4

Point of landing

Cox's Bazaar (Bangladesh) and 16 other landing points.

Ready for service

Y

Description

The SEA-ME-WE 5 submarine cable system is a multi-regional data superhighway, running a total length of 20,000 km.

Website

http://www.seamewe5.com/about/about-smw5/

Early Warning System
EWS in place?

Y

Description

EWS are in place for supporting disaster forecasting, including seasonal forecasting and for floods. This includes technology provision and capacity development for preparedness and response. 

Managed by (eg. system name, NDMO, govt. agency etc)

Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and others.

Humanitarian telecommunications systems
Network type
VHF
Network name
UN Common VHF
Managed by
UNDSS
Description
WFP and other UN agencies in Bangladesh have a VHF & HF radio network managed and operated by UNDSS.
Agencies using the network
UN
Licensing authority
BTRC
Website