Four mobile operators will pay 106.45 billion taka (about US$1.25 billion) for spectrum acquired in an auction organized by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, or BTRC, The Business Standard (Bangladesh) reported March 31.

The operators reportedly acquired 190 MHz out of the offered 220 MHz of frequencies in the 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands. The frequencies are expected to help improve mobile services and facilitate the future rollout of 5G.

The top spenders are Telenor ASA unit Grameenphone Ltd. and Axiata Group Bhd.-owned Robi Axiata Ltd., with each securing 60 MHz of 2.6 GHz spectrum for about 33.6 billion taka (almost US$396 million) per telco. Veon Ltd.'s Banglalink Digital Communication Ltd. secured 40 MHz of 2.3 GHz frequencies for 22.41 billion taka (about US$264.1 million), while state-owned operator Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd. will pay 16.8 billion taka (nearly $198 million) for 30 MHz of 2.3 GHz spectrum.

The BTRC required operators to pay 10% of the frequencies' total price within 60 days from the auction results' release, with the remaining 90% to be paid in equal installments over nine years, the report said. The telcos must start test runs for the spectrum within six months of the auction.

Banglalink will use its newly acquired spectrum to provide extended digital services and boost 4G coverage for its nearly 38 million customers, its parent Veon said. Banglalink plans to build 3,000 new towers in 2022.

As of March 31, US$1 was equivalent to 84.85 Bangladeshi taka.