Meetings, letter exchange continue, yet no mobile network at airport

The initiative to set up mobile networks at the newly built third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport appears to be stuck in uncertainty.

For months, meetings and letter exchanges have been going on, but the dispute between mobile phone operators and the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) remains unresolved—even after the intervention of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

The complexity deepened recently following a rather “peculiar” decision by CAAB. It asked mobile phone operators to participate in a tender for installing networks at the terminal. The highest financial bidder would get the right to install the network and then ensure the services of other operators. This operator would also have to provide a large security deposit, pay rent, and share revenue with CAAB.

Mobile operators expressed astonishment, saying that such a decision could put the launch of network services at the third terminal in jeopardy. In this unusual situation, operators sought BTRC’s support.

Operators’ Position:

Banglalink, Grameenphone, and Robi jointly wrote a letter to the CAAB chairman, clearly stating their stance.

They argued that providing telecom services is a licensed right of operators and a government-declared essential service—comparable to water and electricity. According to them, an international airport is the country’s primary gateway; therefore, uninterrupted mobile coverage and high-speed data services are crucial for passengers, immigration officers, and other stakeholders.

For the past three years, operators have been working on a modern, cost-effective network solution. They proposed a hybrid system combining nDAS, DAS, and macro technologies, designed to be ready for future 5G deployment.

They stressed that relying solely on active DAS would cause unnecessary foreign currency outflow. They also cited precedents, pointing out that similar networks have been installed at significant places like the National Parliament building and the Secretariat without any charge.

In their proposal, one operator would build the core infrastructure in a joint site arrangement, while others would install their own equipment. They agreed to pay rental fees at the same rate as Terminal 1 and 2 but said revenue sharing and security deposits fall outside their obligations.

They also called for an urgent meeting with CAAB and BTRC to resolve the matter.

Banglalink’s Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer, Taimur Rahman, said “In this alarming situation, mobile operators have sought BTRC’s assistance. Such measures, which are outside the legal framework, will not only hinder the timely establishment of telecom services at the third terminal but may also create complications with other agencies in the future—something we find deeply concerning.”

Robi’s Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer, Shahed Alam, said “By law, operators cannot share revenue with CAAB. Nor are we in a position to provide a security deposit. We have submitted a realistic proposal, and we hope CAAB will take it into consideration.”

Grameenphone’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Tanveer Mohammad, said
“The airport is the first point of contact for international travelers. Ensuring uninterrupted mobile services inside the terminal is not merely a commercial issue—it is a national necessity. We believe that CAAB will follow the same model it applied at other terminals. With joint efforts, we are confident we can establish the required network.”

BTRC’s Letter to CAAB:

Earlier this August, BTRC sent a letter to CAAB.

Quoting mobile operators, it noted that at least 21 weeks would be needed to set up the network inside the terminal. For the work to be completed quickly, BTRC urged CAAB’s full cooperation.

The letter, signed by Brigadier General Md. Aminul Haque, Director General of BTRC’s Spectrum Division, emphasized compliance with Section 55 of the Telecommunications Act. It also requested that, through necessary coordination, CAAB extend support to operators in setting up and operating the telecom infrastructure at the terminal.