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Bangladesh’s telecom regulator has moved to ease mounting concerns over spectrum imbalance after issuing Grameenphone a demand note for 700 MHz airwaves, the first commercial allocation of the band in the country.

On Tuesday, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission invited rival operators Robi Axiata and Banglalink to a policy-level discussion on low-band spectrum management, signalling a review of broader allocation and auction strategies.

The invitation came the same day BTRC formally sought payment from Grameenphone for 10 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz band, triggering fresh debate within the industry over whether the assignment favours the market leader.

Grameenphone said the 13-year licence would bring around Tk 22 billion in revenue to the national exchequer and support wider coverage, stronger indoor connectivity and improved service quality in both urban and rural areas. The operator described the investment as part of a long-term plan to strengthen its network and prepare for future technologies.

However, rival operators and sector analysts have raised concerns that allocating premium low-band spectrum to a single operator could deepen existing structural imbalances in a market where Grameenphone already dominates subscriber and revenue shares.

Robi and Banglalink have long argued that all available low-band spectrum, including the EGSM band, should be released through a coordinated auction rather than piecemeal assignments. They warn that fragmented allocation risks distorting competition and entrenching market dominance.

A senior BTRC official said the regulator is exploring ways to address perceptions of regulatory bias and ensure a more balanced framework for spectrum distribution. Both Robi and Banglalink declined to comment ahead of the meeting.

Grameenphone’s chief executive said the company is making a major upfront investment for the spectrum, followed by substantial spending on nationwide rollout. He said low-band spectrum is critical for improving 4G performance and preparing for future-ready technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, enabling higher data speeds, lower latency and better user experience.

Industry insiders see BTRC’s latest move as an attempt to recalibrate its regulatory stance amid criticism that recent decisions have aligned too closely with the operational priorities of the largest operator.

While the regulator maintains that the 700 MHz allocation is vital for expanding nationwide coverage and service quality, analysts caution that long-term sector health will depend on fair, transparent and coordinated spectrum distribution.

The 700 MHz band, often referred to as the digital dividend, became available globally after the shift from analogue to digital television broadcasting. Its low-frequency nature allows wide-area coverage and strong indoor penetration with fewer base stations, making it especially valuable for rural connectivity and cost-efficient network expansion.