Mobile network operators in Bangladesh have urged the government to further rationalise spectrum renewal costs and related charges, saying high prices could undermine investment in network expansion, service quality and nationwide connectivity.
At a press meet at the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) office in Banani on Wednesday, industry leaders said the proposed spectrum valuation remained significantly higher than international and Asia-Pacific market norms when measured against sector revenues and market realities.
They said they appreciated the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission's (BTRC) engagement with stakeholders and the efforts made during the renewal process, but stressed that the current proposed valuation should not be considered the prevailing benchmark for spectrum renewal.
Taimur Rahman, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer of Banglalink, Tanveer Mohammad, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Grameenphone, and Shahed Alam, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer of Robi Axiata PLC, spoke at the event moderated by Lt Col Mohammad Zulfikar (retd).
The speakers said spectrum policy should support broader national goals, including digital inclusion, network expansion, innovation and affordable connectivity, while maintaining a balance between government revenue and the long-term sustainability of the telecom sector.
They noted that spectrum-related costs in Bangladesh account for a significantly higher share of operators' revenues than the Asia-Pacific and global averages, putting pressure on an industry facing stagnant revenues, low average revenue per user (ARPU) growth, rising operating costs and continued investment requirements.
Mobile operators have already made substantial investments in spectrum acquisition and network expansion and will need to invest further to meet growing data consumption and future technology requirements, they said.
Excessive spectrum costs could limit their capacity to expand coverage, improve service quality, strengthen network resilience and enhance customer experience, the speakers added.
They also said future spectrum requirements would increasingly depend on data traffic growth and network capacity rather than simply the amount of spectrum assigned, calling for valuation frameworks that reflect capacity needs, network efficiency, digital demand and socio-economic benefits.
The proposed extension of spectrum licence tenure was a positive step towards providing certainty for long-term investment planning, they said, adding that its benefits would depend on an investment-friendly commercial framework aligned with international best practices.
Taimur Rahman said spectrum was essential for ensuring service quality, network capacity and nationwide coverage, while demand was growing rapidly as Bangladesh shifted from voice to data services.
"Spectrum pricing must therefore reflect today's realities, with significantly lower unit prices to enable continued investment in spectrum acquisition, network expansion and service quality," he said.
He urged the government to take a holistic view of spectrum pricing, looking beyond immediate revenue and recognising its role in digital transformation, economic growth and long-term national development.
Tanveer Mohammad thanked BTRC for adopting a structured approach to the renewal process and holding constructive discussions with operators.
However, he said the proposed fees for a 20-year spectrum licence appeared to have been calculated by scaling up the value of a standard renewal period.
"A 20-year spectrum license should not simply be priced by proportionately scaling the value of a 15-year license," he said, arguing that the economic value of additional years declines due to technological changes, shifting market and demand conditions, and investment risks.
He called for a more rational renewal price based on an appropriate valuation methodology, along with flexible payment terms.
Shahed Alam said spectrum affordability should be assessed in light of industry revenues, investment capacity and the need for continued network expansion.
He said a balanced and investment-friendly framework would help operators improve service quality, expand connectivity and accelerate digital inclusion as the country's digital economy grows.
The speakers said a pragmatic approach to spectrum pricing and licence tenure would benefit consumers, the government and the telecom industry by supporting connectivity, innovation and the country's digital economy goals.