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BTRC prepares ‘2G Sunset Plan’ by 2029
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has charted a phase out roadmap for exiting 2G technology by December 2029, with affordable smartphones at the centre of the shift for more than sixty million feature phone users on the network, who have from July 1, 2027 to December 31, 202
BTRC prepares ‘2G Sunset Plan’ by 2029
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has charted a phase out roadmap for exiting 2G technology by December 2029, with affordable smartphones at the centre of the shift for more than sixty million feature phone users on the network, who have from July 1, 2027 to December 31, 2029 to move to newer devices.
The BTRC said the decision aims to encourage handset manufacturing and technological transition. It was taken at the BTRC’s last Commission Meeting held this month, where the concerned department submitted working papers on the “2G Sunset Roadmap and Action Plan”.
The Systems and Services Division of the regulator said the BTRC is leading a phased transition from 2G to modern networks by setting local production targets for 4G feature phones and promoting affordable smartphones, according to the documents, reports BSS.
Local factories produced 3,28,42,437 handsets in 2025, of which 1,14,51,938 units, or 34.87 per cent, were smartphones and 2,12,44,579 units, or 64.69 per cent, were 2G feature phones.
Besides, in January-August 2026, some 60,60,143 of the 1,82,17,253 handsets produced were smartphones (33.27 per cent), while 1,20,65,606 were 2G feature phones (66.23 per cent).
However, local handset makers have sought more time for the shift, citing the position of low-income users and the domestic industry.
Data from the Mobile Phone Industry Owners' Association of Bangladesh (MOIB), the organisation of local handset makers, show monthly demand for feature phones exceeds 1.0 million. Manufacturers say smartphone prices are high at present.
The roadmap has set a phased-out schedule, finalising a date for approving Original Design Manufacturer licences for 2G handsets on December 31, 2026, and the last timeline for marketing approval for locally made 2G handsets on June 30, 2027.
According to the roadmap, all imported 2G IoT/M2M radio equipment must be migrated to 4G/VoLTE by June 30, 2028. The import of parts for feature phones is to be barred within the next six months.
The BTRC fixed the 2.5-year consumer transition window after a survey of 25 retail outlets, which found that retailers need two to four months to sell 100 new 2G handsets and that consumers use a 2G feature phone for one to three years before replacing it.
A June 18, 2026 workshop with operators, manufacturers and importers considered three timelines, 2029, 2030 and 2032, and December 2029 was adopted.
The commission resolved to send the roadmap to the Posts and Telecommunications Division for government approval. After that, the Spectrum Division of the BTRC will carry out spectrum re-farming and operational directives with freed 2G spectrum to be reallocated to 4G, 5G, LTE-M and NB-IoT networks.
Proposed support measures include government-branded subsidised smartphones, tax-free VoLTE feature phones, VAT-free instalment plans, use of the Social Obligation Fund (SOF) to subsidise devices for low-income people, and handset financing by mobile operators without Bangladesh Bank restrictions.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad earlier spoke of plans to put low-priced smartphones in subscribers’ hands before feature phones are shut down.
“The aim is to deliver mobile services to all the people of the country, not just voice but voice and data. We are trying to bring the seven crore people who are still outside data-receiving technology,” he said.
In an earlier interview with BSS, the adviser said the initiative aims to bring the effective cost of a smartphone down to Tk 2,000-3,000 for ordinary people, including farmers and rickshaw pullers, and that the government wants 100 per cent coverage within 18 to 24 months.
He said manufacturers have offered to subsidise up to Tk 1,000 per device, and Bangladesh Bank has lifted its previous restriction on mobile phone purchases under its EMI programme, allowing any bank to provide EMI facilities.
He said the SOF holds around Tk 1,200 crore, and the government would have to identify people living below the poverty level and determine how to reach them.
Participants at the June workshop identified loss of connectivity for 2G-only devices and IoT/M2M infrastructure as a key risk, along with customer churn, complaints, emergency communication failures and higher support costs.
MOIB President Jakaria Shahid, however, opined that the decision should be reviewed again because the overall management has not been made clear in the roadmap. If 2G users are pushed towards expensive 4G handsets, then many users may fall outside the network, he said.
“When there is demand in the market, supply will come automatically, either it’s legal or illegal. If our legitimate production and import are stopped and demand remains, this entire 2G market will go to the grey market. We will have to shut our factories and lay off employees,” he said.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has charted a phase out roadmap for exiting 2G technology by December 2029, with affordable smartphones at the centre of the shift for more than sixty million feature phone users on the network, who have from July 1, 2027 to December 31, 2029 to move to newer devices.
The BTRC said the decision aims to encourage handset manufacturing and technological transition. It was taken at the BTRC’s last Commission Meeting held this month, where the concerned department submitted working papers on the “2G Sunset Roadmap and Action Plan”.
The Systems and Services Division of the regulator said the BTRC is leading a phased transition from 2G to modern networks by setting local production targets for 4G feature phones and promoting affordable smartphones, according to the documents, reports BSS.
Local factories produced 3,28,42,437 handsets in 2025, of which 1,14,51,938 units, or 34.87 per cent, were smartphones and 2,12,44,579 units, or 64.69 per cent, were 2G feature phones.
Besides, in January-August 2026, some 60,60,143 of the 1,82,17,253 handsets produced were smartphones (33.27 per cent), while 1,20,65,606 were 2G feature phones (66.23 per cent).
However, local handset makers have sought more time for the shift, citing the position of low-income users and the domestic industry.
Data from the Mobile Phone Industry Owners' Association of Bangladesh (MOIB), the organisation of local handset makers, show monthly demand for feature phones exceeds 1.0 million. Manufacturers say smartphone prices are high at present.
The roadmap has set a phased-out schedule, finalising a date for approving Original Design Manufacturer licences for 2G handsets on December 31, 2026, and the last timeline for marketing approval for locally made 2G handsets on June 30, 2027.
According to the roadmap, all imported 2G IoT/M2M radio equipment must be migrated to 4G/VoLTE by June 30, 2028. The import of parts for feature phones is to be barred within the next six months.
The BTRC fixed the 2.5-year consumer transition window after a survey of 25 retail outlets, which found that retailers need two to four months to sell 100 new 2G handsets and that consumers use a 2G feature phone for one to three years before replacing it.
A June 18, 2026 workshop with operators, manufacturers and importers considered three timelines, 2029, 2030 and 2032, and December 2029 was adopted.
The commission resolved to send the roadmap to the Posts and Telecommunications Division for government approval. After that, the Spectrum Division of the BTRC will carry out spectrum re-farming and operational directives with freed 2G spectrum to be reallocated to 4G, 5G, LTE-M and NB-IoT networks.
Proposed support measures include government-branded subsidised smartphones, tax-free VoLTE feature phones, VAT-free instalment plans, use of the Social Obligation Fund (SOF) to subsidise devices for low-income people, and handset financing by mobile operators without Bangladesh Bank restrictions.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Rehan Asif Asad earlier spoke of plans to put low-priced smartphones in subscribers’ hands before feature phones are shut down.
“The aim is to deliver mobile services to all the people of the country, not just voice but voice and data. We are trying to bring the seven crore people who are still outside data-receiving technology,” he said.
In an earlier interview with BSS, the adviser said the initiative aims to bring the effective cost of a smartphone down to Tk 2,000-3,000 for ordinary people, including farmers and rickshaw pullers, and that the government wants 100 per cent coverage within 18 to 24 months.
He said manufacturers have offered to subsidise up to Tk 1,000 per device, and Bangladesh Bank has lifted its previous restriction on mobile phone purchases under its EMI programme, allowing any bank to provide EMI facilities.
He said the SOF holds around Tk 1,200 crore, and the government would have to identify people living below the poverty level and determine how to reach them.
Participants at the June workshop identified loss of connectivity for 2G-only devices and IoT/M2M infrastructure as a key risk, along with customer churn, complaints, emergency communication failures and higher support costs.
MOIB President Jakaria Shahid, however, opined that the decision should be reviewed again because the overall management has not been made clear in the roadmap. If 2G users are pushed towards expensive 4G handsets, then many users may fall outside the network, he said.
“When there is demand in the market, supply will come automatically, either it’s legal or illegal. If our legitimate production and import are stopped and demand remains, this entire 2G market will go to the grey market. We will have to shut our factories and lay off employees,” he said.
