Grameenphone has received formal confirmation of its eligibility to acquire the 700 MHz spectrum, marking the first-ever allocation of low-band frequency to a mobile operator in Bangladesh, according to a disclosure by the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) on Sunday.

The country’s largest mobile operator received an acknowledgement letter from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) on January 21, confirming its eligibility under the prevailing auction rules.

The regulator said it would now proceed with the necessary administrative process, with the spectrum assignment letter to be issued following a BTRC commission meeting in due course.

The 700 MHz spectrum was allocated at the base price, meaning the government will earn Tk 2,370 crore from the deal. The rate was fixed at Tk 237 crore per megahertz (MHz).

The allocation will be valid for 15 years, with the payment to be made in 10 instalments. If the allocation period ends earlier for any reason, the payable amount will be adjusted accordingly.

BTRC had fixed January 21 as the auction date. However, with Grameenphone emerging as the sole bidder, the regulator proceeded under its single-bidder allocation provisions.

The thin participation followed Robi Axiata’s decision to withdraw from the auction, citing a “mismatch” between the auction timing and its network investment priorities. Banglalink and state-owned Teletalk also stayed away from the process.

Despite the limited turnout, the regulator went ahead with the auction, noting that preparations for the 700 MHz band had been underway since 2024. BTRC also said Robi had expressed interest in spectrum from another band, which could be considered later.

Earlier this month, anticipating the possibility of a lone bidder, BTRC amended its auction rules by reducing the maximum spectrum cap for a single operator to 10 MHz from 15 MHz, out of a total 25 MHz on offer. The move, the regulator said, was aimed at protecting competition and preserving room for other operators in the future.

The 700 MHz band is widely regarded as a premium low-band frequency due to its superior ability to cover large geographical areas and penetrate buildings, making it particularly suitable for expanding rural connectivity and improving indoor coverage.

With this allocation, Bangladesh formally begins using the 700 MHz band for mobile broadband, a step long seen as crucial for enhancing nationwide network reach and improving overall service quality.