06 April 2022
Nokia and Teletalk, Bangladesh’s largest telecommunications service provider in the country, have launched the country’s first 5G network in Dhaka.
The south Asian nation is joining more than 60 other countries with the fifth generation of mobile internet connectivity. Bangladesh introduced 3G cellular technology in October 2012 and 4G technology in February 2018.
This latest move is a step that sets the foundation for next-generation mobile services.
Bangladesh has 17.69 million cellular subscribers and 12 million mobile internet users among four cellular operators, according to latest figures provided by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
Only 28% of subscribers have used 4G networks, while the adoption of smartphones is 41%. It is understood that the technology is set to change how people use their phones and consume data for consumers and businesses.
Users will benefit from faster internet and smoother telecommunications services after introducing the 5G technology.
The commercial test will be rolled out through a cluster-wide deployment in the Dhaka metropolitan area at 200 locations by 2022, focusing on commercial and government offices.
The technology will help develop smart manufacturing through cloud-based wireless robotic control, wireless electronic healthservices, and live broadcasting in social networks.
“We’re thrilled to be the first company in Bangladesh to deliver 5G, as part of our broader vision for enhancing connectivity,” said Shafin Ahmed, CEO of Teletalk. “5G is a major milestone for us and we look forward to furthering our efforts on introducing innovative technologies that improve the lives of consumers.”
In the initial deployment phase, Finnish tech giant Nokia will provide equipment from its latest ReefShark System on Chip-powered AirScale equipment portfolio, including its 5G AirScale Digital Baseband Unit with a plugin capability to add capacity where it is needed.
It will also supply its high-performance 64TRX AirScale MIMO adaptive antennas to cover all deployment scenarios, including dense-urban environments and wide-area coverage.
