Internet in Bangladesh: Infrastructure and Service Quality

Bangladesh has made significant strides in developing its internet infrastructure over the years. The country has over 140 million internet subscribers, which is about 80% of its population.

The internet penetration rate in Bangladesh has been steadily increasing, with the number of internet users growing by 10% annually. This growth is largely driven by the increasing demand for digital services and online content.

The government has invested heavily in building a robust internet backbone, which has improved the overall quality of internet services in the country. This investment has enabled faster and more reliable internet connectivity.

Despite these advancements, internet speeds in Bangladesh can be slower than in other countries, with average speeds ranging from 5-10 Mbps.

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Bangladesh has made significant strides in mobile internet connectivity since the late 2010s.

The country officially launched 4G network services on February 19, 2018, marking a major milestone in its digital journey.

By June 2025, Bangladesh had reached 188.45 million mobile phone subscribers, with Grameenphone leading the pack at 86.51 million subscribers.

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Grameenphone's dominance was followed closely by Robi with 57.40 million subscribers, Banglalink with 37.95 million, and Teletalk with 6.59 million subscribers.

Internet subscribers grew exponentially to 133.61 million by June 2025, comprising 119.29 million mobile internet users and 14.32 million ISP/PSTN subscribers.

This rapid growth in internet subscribers led to a significant increase in households with internet access, with 54.8% of households having access by 2025, up from 43.6% in 2023.

Smartphone adoption also saw substantial growth, jumping from 63.3% to 72.8% during the same period.

By 2025, network coverage had expanded significantly, with 4G coverage reaching 100% and 3G coverage at 99.80%.

Internet penetration reached 54.18% in 2025, with 16.94 million households having internet access at home.

The communication services market revenue was projected to reach US$4.9 billion in 2025, dominated by mobile data with a projected market volume of US$2.5 billion.

Grameenphone led in overall mobile experience with a video experience score of 57.6 points, followed by Robi, Banglalink, and Teletalk.

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The number of Internet subscriptions in Bangladesh grew from 186,000 in 2000 to 617,300 in 2009.

In 2009, only 0.4% of the population used the Internet, making Bangladesh one of the lowest usage percentages in the world.

The limited Internet penetration is due to factors such as unavailability in rural areas, high costs, little local content, limited or poor service quality, and low literacy rates.

By 2011, the number of Internet users in Bangladesh had seen high growth of over 900%, bringing the total number of users to 5,501,609.

In 2010, it was estimated that nearly 10 million people in the country were using 800,000 Internet connections on a sharing basis.

The number of Internet users in the country is increasing roughly 15-16 percent a year.

By 2020, the increased Internet penetration is expected to contribute 2.6% to the country's GDP and create 129 thousand more jobs.

Mobile operators have been providing substantial services in and outside urban areas using 3G/EDGE technology.

As of April 2019, internet subscribers have reached 93.702 million users, with the government's initiatives such as the a2i project contributing to this growth.

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Internet service quality in Bangladesh has improved significantly in recent years, with the country ranking 90th out of 198 countries on the Household Download Index by Net Index as of July 2015.

The completion of the Kuakata submarine cable has added significant transmission capacity and provided redundancy and low-latency connectivity. This has been especially beneficial for internet users in the capital city, where optical fiber internet providers have reduced retail prices and standardized the quality of internet services.

However, internet connectivity with acceptable quality and reliability is still relatively costly for users outside of Dhaka, and progress is limited due to deficiencies in the regulatory framework and infrastructure development.

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Bangladesh has made significant improvements in Internet speed, ranking 90th out of 198 countries on the Household Download Index by Net Index as of July 2015.

The completion of the Kuakata submarine cable has added a significant amount of transmission capacity and provided redundancy and low-latency connectivity.

Internet bandwidth prices in Bangladesh have dropped significantly since the start of the Cox's Bazar submarine cable in 2006.

In 2008, the wholesale Internet bandwidth price was slashed from BDT 80,000 (approximately US$1,125) per Mbit/s to BDT 18,000 (approximately US$250) per Mbit/s by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.

Retail prices have also been reduced, with the optical fiber internet providers in Dhaka offering standardized and high-quality Internet services.

However, Internet connectivity with acceptable quality and reliability is still relatively costly for areas outside of Dhaka.

The government's "Digital Bangladesh" plan and National Information and Communication Technology Policy recognize the importance of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in driving socioeconomic development.

Bangladesh has slowly moved up in the worldwide ICT rankings, rising from 130th in 2009 to 113th in 2012 in the "networked readiness index".

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Bangladesh has a significant number of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating in the country, with 119 licensed ISPs providing services nationwide and 65 ISPs providing services in the central zone as of 2016.

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The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) regulates ISPs in the country.

In 2005, there were over 180 ISPs operating in Bangladesh, but the number has decreased over time.

The government's "Digital Bangladesh" plan and the National Information and Communication Technology Policy aim to promote the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the country.

BusinessCom Services offers a comprehensive rural mobile network solution that uses VSAT technology to provide low-cost cellular voice, SMS, and data services across Bangladesh.

This solution is cost-effective and can be deployed easily, making it a sustainable business model.

Mobile operators such as Teletalk, Grameenphone, Robi, and Banglalink offer 3G and 4G services in 64 districts of Bangladesh, while others offer 3G and 4G services in specific areas and EDGE or GPRSGSM services in the rest of the areas.

The sole CDMA operator, Citycell, was shut down by the government in 2016, and Airtel Bangladesh merged with Robi.

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Bangladesh has a unique system for exchanging internet traffic, which is managed by National Internet Exchanges (NIXs) and International Internet Gateways (IIGs). These systems play a crucial role in providing global internet connectivity and minimizing the usage of international bandwidth.

The National Internet Exchange (NIX) is the primary system for domestic internet traffic, with two exchange points, the Bangladesh Internet Exchange (BDIX) and the Bangladesh Society of Internet Exchange (BSIX). BDIX was established in August 2004 and operated by the Sustainable Development Networking Programme and the Peering Society of Bangladesh.

The NIX has two exchange points, which help to reduce the cost of raw bandwidth by increasing competition among operators. In June 2012, the BTRC announced plans to issue an unrestricted number of additional NIX licenses.

There are currently two IIGs in service, operated by Mango Teleservices Limited and the government-owned Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL). These IIGs provide global internet connectivity, but concerns have been raised about the limited number of operators, which may keep the cost of raw bandwidth high.

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The top-level domain for Bangladesh is '.bd' and '.bangla'. This is the online identity of the country, just like how a company's logo is its visual identity.

You can use '.bd' or '.bangla' to register a domain name for a website related to Bangladesh. This can be a great way to show your connection to the country.

Infrastructure and Networks in Bangladesh are slowly but surely improving. In 2009, there were only 50,000 fixed broadband Internet subscribers.

The number of broadband connections has skyrocketed since then, with 3.112 million ISP/PSTN users in March 2016. This growth continued, reaching 5.735 million broadband connections in November 2018.

Despite this progress, the cost of high-speed connections in Bangladesh is still higher than in other south Asian countries.

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Mobile operators play a crucial role in Bangladesh's internet landscape, with an estimated 90% of internet users accessing the web via mobile services in 2010.

The majority of mobile operators in Bangladesh offer 3G and 4G services, with Teletalk, Grameenphone, Robi, and Banglalink covering 64 districts. Citycell, the sole CDMA operator, used to offer EVDO before it was shut down by the government in 2016.

Airtel Bangladesh merged with Robi, and operators are working to expand their 3G and 4G services to cover all areas.

Broadband internet access is slowly progressing in Bangladesh, with 50,000 fixed broadband subscribers in 2009. By March 2016, this number had grown to 3.112 million ISP/PSTN users.

The country's broadband definition is somewhat unique, with a minimum speed of 128/128 kbit/s, which is not in line with the ITU's definition.

WiMAX was introduced in Bangladesh in 2008, when three companies, BanglaLion Communications Ltd., Brac Bdmail Network Ltd., and Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh Ltd., won licenses to operate the technology.

The licenses were purchased at auction for 2.15 billion BDT (US$31 million) from the BTRC.

The companies that won the licenses were required to pay 27.50% of their revenue to the government as part of the agreement.

Brac Bdmail declined to start the service, but BanglaLion and Augere (branded as Qubee) launched commercial WiMax services by the end of 2009.

WiMax usage declined significantly after 3G mobile internet was introduced in 2013, with The Daily Star describing it as being on the "brink of extinction" and "on its last legs" by the end of the decade.

In Bangladesh, internet access is widespread, with over 80% of the population having access to the internet.

Mobile internet penetration is particularly high, with over 90% of mobile subscribers using the internet on their devices. This is likely due to the country's mobile-first approach to internet adoption.

Despite this, there are still areas with limited or no internet access, particularly in rural regions. However, initiatives like the government's Digital Bangladesh program aim to bridge this gap and improve connectivity nationwide.

There are currently over 5,000 operational satellites orbiting the Earth, providing connectivity to remote areas.

Several satellite providers offer services, including Intelsat, SES, and Eutelsat, which have been in operation for decades.

Intelsat has the largest fleet of satellites, with over 50 operational satellites.

SES has a significant presence in the Asia-Pacific region, with a network of satellites providing connectivity to over 50 countries.

Eutelsat has a strong focus on Europe and the Middle East, with a network of satellites providing connectivity to over 160 countries.

Satellite providers have been investing heavily in new technologies, including high-throughput satellites and low-Earth orbit satellites.

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In urban areas, internet connectivity is often faster and more reliable, with 95% of residents having access to high-speed internet.

Urban residents are more likely to have access to healthcare services, with 94% of urban residents having health insurance, compared to 83% of rural residents.

Rural residents often face longer wait times for medical appointments, with some areas having wait times of over 30 days for non-emergency procedures.

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In contrast, urban areas tend to have a wider range of job opportunities, with 85% of urban residents employed full-time, compared to 72% of rural residents.

Rural residents often have to travel longer distances to access basic services like grocery shopping, with 70% of rural residents reporting a 30-minute or longer drive to the nearest grocery store.

In 2009, there were approximately 800 cyber cafés in operation, a number that remained unchanged from 2005.

These cyber cafés offered higher than average bandwidth connections, which was a major draw for people who needed faster internet access.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) first regulated cyber cafés in 2009, but by the end of 2011, fewer than 150 had obtained the required license.

This lack of regulation and licensing may have contributed to the slow adoption of cyber cafés as a reliable and trustworthy option for internet access.

The government of Bangladesh has taken steps to regulate the internet, with the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) being the primary authority responsible for overseeing the country's internet infrastructure.

The BTRC has implemented measures to control online content, including blocking access to certain websites and social media platforms deemed objectionable by the government.

In 2016, the BTRC blocked access to several social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, citing concerns over online harassment and hate speech.

Censorship is a complex issue that raises questions about freedom of speech and the role of government in regulating online content.

In some countries, governments have implemented strict censorship laws to control what citizens can and cannot access online. For example, China's Great Firewall blocks access to over 10,000 websites, including Google and Facebook.

This type of censorship can have significant consequences for businesses and individuals who rely on online platforms for communication and information.

The Chinese government has also been known to censor online content that is critical of the government or its policies.

In contrast, some countries have more relaxed censorship laws, allowing citizens to access a wider range of online content.

For instance, the United States has a more permissive approach to online censorship, with the First Amendment protecting freedom of speech.

However, even in countries with more relaxed censorship laws, there are still instances of online content being removed or restricted.

In the US, for example, social media platforms have been known to remove content that is deemed hate speech or harassment.

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The government plays a significant role in shaping the digital landscape through its policies and initiatives. Many countries have implemented digital development initiatives, such as digital literacy programs, to promote the use of technology among citizens.

The European Union's Digital Single Market strategy aims to create a single market for digital goods and services, making it easier for businesses to operate across borders.

The United States has launched various initiatives to improve digital infrastructure, including the Broadband Data Improvement Act, which aims to improve the accuracy of broadband data.

The government's role in promoting digital development is crucial for economic growth and social inclusion.

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Bangladesh is one of the fastest-growing internet markets in the world. The country has seen a significant increase in internet penetration over the past few years, with over 50% of the population now having access to the internet.

However, despite this progress, Bangladesh still faces several challenges in terms of internet connectivity. The country's rural areas have limited access to reliable internet services, with many areas still lacking basic infrastructure.

One major challenge is the lack of high-speed internet connections in rural areas, with many residents relying on slow and expensive mobile internet services. This limits their ability to access online services and opportunities.

Another challenge is the high cost of internet services, which can be prohibitively expensive for many low-income households. This is particularly true for those living in rural areas where internet services are often more expensive.

Bangladesh has made significant progress in terms of internet penetration, but there is still much work to be done to ensure that all citizens have access to reliable and affordable internet services.

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The Bangladesh government has ordered mobile operators to shut down 4G services again, just days after services were switched back on.

This is the second time in less than a month that mobile internet services in Bangladesh have been shut down by the government.

Over 131 million people in Bangladesh use the internet, with the vast majority - 118.49 million - relying on mobile internet.

Mobile internet users in Bangladesh make up the vast majority of internet users in the country.

The government has also blocked access to social media sites for all internet users, after briefly restoring access last Wednesday.

At least 100 people were killed on Sunday in violent clashes between protesters and police, amid demands for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation.

The government initially claimed last month's internet blackout was not ordered by them, but the result of "planned sabotage" by protesters.

The initial internet shutdown occurred after violence broke out amid student protests against a new government jobs quota system.

At least 150 people were reportedly killed in clashes between students, pro-Awami League groups and police.

The latest shutdown comes amid more protests over the weekend, with tens of thousands of protesters demanding Hasina's resignation.