Page 81 - SAMENA Trends - August-September 2025

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Sri Lanka to Roll Out 5G Nationwide by Year-End

Sri Lanka is preparing to launch 5G services nationwide by the end confirmed. The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of
of 2025, with a spectrum auction set to take place within the com- Sri Lanka (TRCSL) is finalizing tender procedures, with the auction
ing months, Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne expected 51 days after a final scheduled discussion. The auction
will offer spectrum in the 3.5 GHz and 27 GHz bands, each for a
10-year license period—comprising four 50 MHz lots in the 3.5 GHz
band and four 100 MHz lots in the 27 GHz band. This follows major
telecom market consolidation, including the merger of Dialog Axia-
ta PLC and Bharti Airtel Lanka, which now holds around 63% of the
mobile subscriber base. Some spectrum in the 850, 900, and 2300
MHz bands has been redistributed for efficiency, while remaining
2.6 GHz spectrum has been assigned to Hutchison Telecommuni-
cations Lanka. TRCSL is considering three allocation options: a di-
rect auction for all qualified bidders, an administrative assignment
to a single wholesale network, or an auction for existing operators
with sharing obligations. Auction participation will be restricted to
licensed mobile operators running 4G networks with no outstand-
ing license fees. Winners will face light rollout obligations—re-
quiring commercial 5G service launches at a set number of base
station sites in each district within three years. The government
will retain its majority stake in Sri Lanka Telecom PLC and Mobitel.
Authorities view the 5G rollout as a key driver of economic recov-
ery, enabling faster connectivity, new digital services, and greater
appeal for foreign investment.

Bangladesh Targets 500,000 Km of Fiber Optic Cable to Build Safer, Modern

Network

Bangladesh currently has 150,000
kilometers of fiber optic cable, 75% of
which is overhead and highly vulnerable
to natural disasters, according to Faiz
Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the
Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Posts,
Telecommunications and Information
Technology. Speaking at Bangladesh
Cable Shilpa Limited (Bakshi) in Khulna on
August 21, he stressed the urgent need for
underground networks to ensure safety and
quality. Taiyeb highlighted that Bangladesh
requires at least 500,000 kilometers of
fiber optic cable to meet growing national
communication needs and sectoral
demand. He urged the merging of outdated
public and private networks into a unified certification, and expand into new markets ministry’s support for Bakshi’s growth and
system, calling the fiber optic industry a to remain competitive. The company, noted the importance of adopting effective
sector with “immense potential.” He added which also manufactures HDPE ducts, marketing and modern technology as
that Bakshi — which has been producing power cables, and overhead conductors, traditional cables lose demand. He also
cables since 1972 and entered fiber optic currently produces up to 25,000 kilometers visited Khulna divisional offices of Teletalk,
production in 2010 — must modernize its of fiber annually and reported Tk28 crore BTCL, and the postal service to meet staff
operations, secure international green profit in FY2024–25. Taiyeb reaffirmed the and service users.

81 AUG-SEP 2025