There was already a rumor that 3G will not be turned on the future. The Minister of Posts and Telecommunications has said more than once that 3G is no longer needed. The latest news is that mobile phone operator Robi wants to phase out their 3G services in the future – a proposal they have submitted to the telecommunications regulator BTRC. The matter came to light again. The other two operators have also indicated that the service will not continue.
Operators are more interested in 2G and 4G. Operators want to continue their service activities by providing 4G service to the customer as 5G will be given more importance in commercial use. There will be 5G as well.
In this regard, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said, “We do not see the need to have 3G. 4G has reached almost all parts of the country. The speed is high. The 4G set is also growing in the market. 5G has already arrived again. The wave will be auctioned soon. All the operators will then provide 5G service.”
Asked about this, Robi said that the operator wants to reduce the use of 3G in phases. The comment of the operator, if the customer gets 4G at the price of 3G, then why use 3G. Robi has already made a proposal to BTRC in this regard. The BTRC has not yet commented.
The other two operators say they will also drop 3G. But it will take time. They want to observe for a few more days considering the increasing usage of 4G phones, accessory status, customer’s internet usage pattern etc.
Khairul Basar, Head of Communications, Grameenphone, told The Asian Tribune, “An important milestone in achieving the Digital Bangladesh Vision through the implementation of 5G in 3G to 4G migration and its continuation. We are discussing with the regulatory body and the government what can be done in this regard.”
A top official of a mobile operator, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “There will be 2G and 4G. 4G set usage rate in the country is 30 percent. If this rate is not more than 50-60 percent, 3G cannot be eliminated. If it is done now, it will be seen that you’re using 4G, but you don’t get the data.”
He added, “Operators have started using the spectrum they have bought since the last auction. Operators are converting their BTS (mobile towers) to 4G. About 50 per cent of the waves purchased at their auction are currently being used.”