The telecommunications landscape in Bangladesh is heading toward a massive structural shift. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has outlined a definitive roadmap to completely phase out 2G technology by December 2029.
While telecom operators have welcomed the decision as a necessary step toward modernizing digital infrastructure, the move raises serious questions about the fate of roughly 60 million traditional button phones currently in use across the country.
To ensure a managed transition away from legacy technology, BTRC has established a series of strict deadlines leading up to the final network shutdown:
- December 2026: New 2G handset models will no longer receive official regulatory approval.
- March 31, 2027: The domestic manufacturing of 2G mobile phone sets will be officially banned.
- June 30, 2027: The commercial marketing and retail distribution of 2G feature phones will be halted.
- December 2029: Consumer-level 2G network services will be entirely shut down nationwide.
Industry estimates indicate that about 65% of locally produced handsets are still basic 2G feature phones, typically priced around Tk950 to Tk1,000.
In contrast, affordable 4G smartphones generally start at a much higher price point of around Tk9,500.
Because the vast majority of existing button phones do not support VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology, millions of low-income and rural consumers face a steep financial hurdle to stay connected once the network is retired.
Experts and local manufacturing representatives have emphasized that restricting 2G devices must be balanced with practical alternatives—such as government-backed initiatives for ultra-low-cost smartphones or accessible installment facilities—to prevent economic strain on lower-income populations and to avoid flooding the market with illegal devices.
Major mobile network operators, including Grameenphone, Robi, and Banglalink, have strongly endorsed the transition.
Industry leaders noted that retiring outdated 2G infrastructure will allow operators to redirect critical spectrum resources, significantly boost data network capacity, and deliver higher-quality mobile internet services nationwide as digital connectivity becomes the primary focus of the telecommunications sector.