Is 5G Network in Bangladesh Available? Status Nov 2026

Updated: November 2026. Yes, 5G exists in Bangladesh, but only as a limited rollout. Robi and Grameenphone launched commercial 5G on 31 August 2025 (reported 1 September 2025), and coverage is still concentrated in selected urban areas. You need both a 5G-capable phone and to be inside 5G coverage, and for most people 4G remains the network they use every day. This guide covers who offers 5G, what has happened on spectrum, and whether a 5G phone is worth buying now. For the basics of 4G and VoLTE, see our 4G guide.

Which operators offer 5G in Bangladesh?

According to The Daily Star, Robi launched first in seven areas across Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet, and Grameenphone followed about two hours later, claiming coverage in all divisional cities. Named launch spots included Fakirapul, Moghbazar and parts of Dhaka University in Dhaka, and Khulshi in Chattogram. The same report noted that some users in Kawran Bazar, Dhaka, could not get a 5G signal, which shows that coverage was patchy from day one.

Targets are company goals, not delivered coverage. Check your own street on the operator's coverage map before assuming 5G will reach you. For a look at 4G, which is what most users still depend on, read our 4G operator comparison and the Grameenphone network guide.

Spectrum and auction milestones

• March 2022: Bangladesh auctioned 190 MHz of spectrum for $1.23 billion, with operators required to launch 5G within six months (The Daily Star). The commercial launch came about three years later.
• 2024: 5G guidelines were issued late and, per The Daily Star, without clear rollout obligations.
• January 2026 (planned): BTRC scheduled an auction of 25 MHz in the 700 MHz band, with a base price of Tk 237 crore per MHz, according to TBS News. We could not confirm the outcome of that auction.
• June 2026: The Daily Star reported that BTRC decided to auction additional lower-band spectrum (the 8.4 MHz EGSM band) after several operators applied for the same blocks. Robi and Banglalink applied for the two 3.4 MHz blocks, and pricing recommendations went to the government for approval.

Lower bands such as 700 MHz travel farther and penetrate walls better, which is why they matter for rural and indoor coverage. Whether they are used for 5G, 4G or both depends on how operators deploy them.

Do you need a 5G phone and a 5G SIM?

You need a phone that supports the 5G bands the operators use, and you need to be inside 5G coverage. A 5G phone will fall back to 4G automatically when 5G is not available, so buying one does not break anything. On SIMs, we could not confirm from an operator source whether every existing SIM works or an upgrade is needed. One retailer blog says Grameenphone 5G runs under existing data plans, but confirm this with Grameenphone or Robi customer care for your connection.

Also check the handset itself. Unofficial imports can differ in band support, and phones must be registered by IMEI with BTRC to keep working on local networks. Official units carry local warranty and are usually the safer bet for band support.

5G phones in our price snapshot

Our database currently flags only a few models as 5G, so this list is short. Prices are in taka, prices checked 9 Nov 2026.

These are flagship prices. Many mid-range models also carry 5G, so browse the ৳20,001-30,000 and ৳30,001-40,000 ranges, or the ৳100,001-120,000 range for premium phones, and check each spec page for 5G support.

Is it worth buying a 5G phone now?

Buy one if you were going to replace your phone anyway, you live or work in a Dhaka, Chattogram or Sylhet area with 5G, and you plan to keep the phone three or more years. Network coverage should keep growing during that time, so a 5G phone avoids an early upgrade.

Skip the 5G premium if you live outside covered areas or your budget is tight. A good 4G phone with VoLTE gives the same experience for most daily use, since 4G is what you will be on most of the time. Bangladesh also has a 2G sunset plan; see our 2G shutdown post.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 5G available across Bangladesh?

No. It is a limited rollout in selected areas, mainly Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and other divisional cities. Check operator coverage maps for your location.

Does Teletalk have 5G?

Teletalk ran trials, but we found no wide commercial launch. See our Teletalk network guide.

Will a 5G phone work on 4G?

Yes. 5G phones fall back to 4G when 5G is unavailable.

Do I need to pay extra for 5G data?

We could not verify current 5G-specific pricing from an operator source. One retailer report says Grameenphone uses existing data plans. Confirm with your operator.

Sources

• The Daily Star: Bangladesh enters 5G era with limited rollout (1 Sep 2025)
• The Daily Star: BTRC to auction more lower-band spectrum (3 Jun 2026)
• TBS News: BTRC to auction 700MHz spectrum in January 2026
• Developing Telecoms: Robi and Grameenphone first off the post with 5G
• Star Tech: 5G network services launched in Bangladesh