The environment required for rolling out 5G services in the country is already in place, Post and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said on Tuesday.
The minister was speaking at a roundtable discussion on '5G Technology: Prospects and Actions' organised by Telecom Reporters' Network, Bangladesh (TRNB) and mobile operator Robi at a city hotel.
“Along with the business purpose of 5G, we all need to work towards solving the problems of the people,” he added.
Read more: '5G can change the face of industry in Bangladesh'
Speaking at the same event, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Shyam Sunder Sikder said an integrated market survey needs to be conducted to understand how the 5G services can be rolled out commercially.
Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) can play a leading role in this regard, he added.
However, Hossain Sadat, corporate affairs officer of Grameenphone, said the ecosystem needs to be transformed to roll out 5G here. Besides, the towers will need a lot of electricity.
“5G spectrum needs to be rolled out, we have 700 and 3.5 spectrum ready,” said BTRC system and service division director general Brigadier General Md Nasim Parvez
"If necessary the existing policies will be changed for the welfare of all. Even if there is a need to share the spectrum, initiatives will be taken," he added.
Read more: Modi unveils 5G mobile internet services in India
At the event, the managing director of the state-owned Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) Md Rafiqul Matin said, “We are connecting the economic zones. We are trying to use a 5G connection when it rolls out. Working together with all the operators, we will move forward through infrastructure sharing.”