The government has directed the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to allocate 10 MHz of the remaining 700 MHz spectrum to state-owned Teletalk Bangladesh.

Teletalk currently owes BDT 55.06 billion in unpaid spectrum fees and other liabilities. The move leaves 5 MHz of the band unassigned.

Earlier, Grameenphone secured 10 MHz of the 700 MHz band at BDT 2.37 billion per MHz, paying a total of BDT 23.70 billion. It was the only bidder in the auction, leaving 15 MHz unsold.

BTRC Chairman Md Emdad ul Bari confirmed the government’s directive. He said Teletalk had previously requested spectrum but was declined because allocating without auction was considered uncompetitive.

The 700 MHz band is a low-frequency “golden spectrum” valued for long-distance coverage, building penetration, and suitability for rural expansion, indoor connectivity, 4G growth, and future 5G deployment.

Teletalk serves roughly 6.8 million users, about 3.66 percent of Bangladesh’s 1.86 billion mobile subscribers.