State-owned mobile phone operator, Teletalk, still lags far behind private sector competitors in providing services. Teletalk has undertaken a mega project worth around Rs 3,000 crore to expand its network and improve its services. Under the project, Teletalk plans to bring 100% of the country under its network by 2024.

A recent meeting of the Department of Posts and Telecommunications has decided on a number of issues, including the expansion of Teletalk’s network. Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Mostafa Jabbar and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Information and Communication Technology Sajeeb Wazed Joy were present at the meeting.

Mostafa Jabbar said, “The government has taken all necessary steps to address the shortcomings of state-owned enterprises and to assist in liaison with private operators. A mega project has been undertaken to bring the whole country under Teletalk’s network. ”

Sahab Uddin, Managing Director, Teletalk Bangladesh Limited, said, “The project titled ‘Expansion of Teletalk 4G Network and Provision of 4G Network Services in Rural Areas’ aims to bring the whole country under Teletalk Network.

The project has already been approved by the Planning Commission. He said the work would start by June 2020 if approved by the executive committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

He added that at present, the number of Teletalk subscribers is 48 lakh. The target is to increase the number of subscribers to 6 million by 2020, 1 crore by 2021, 15 million by 2022 and 2 crore by 2024. He said that by 2024, people in rural areas will be able to enjoy 4G network services.

The Teletalk chief said more; According to the network expansion plan, they will have 5,650 base transceiver stations (BTS) in 2019-20, 9,510 BTS in 2020-21, 12,510 BTS in 2021-22, 13,310 BTS in 2022-23 and 2023-24. Will be able to place 15,510 in.

He said that Teletalk authorities will achieve revenue of Tk 1,000 crore in 2019-20. He further hoped that this number would cross Rs. 13 billion in FY 2020-21.

Teletalk started its journey in 2005 with a capital of Tk 743 crore and later in 2008 it was renamed as Teletalk Bangladesh Limited. With GTZ Chinese funding, Teletalk expanded its 2G / 3G network to district and upazila level in 2013-15 at a cost of Taka 16 billion.

Now Teletalk is focusing on government and corporate executives, students, youth and female customers to expand their business and provide modern digital services.

According to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), as of August 2019, there are 65.7 million Grameenphone subscribers, 46 million Robi subscribers, 34.6 million Banglalink subscribers and 83 lakh Teletalk subscribers in the country.

References: The Financial Express