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Banglalink is the first company in Bangladesh to phase out 3G services to improve 4G quality and speed. Through their enhanced 4G service, the telecom operator aims to connect Bangladesh to the digital world.
In an insightful interview with The Business Post, Huseyin Turker, the chief technology and information officer (CTIO) of Banglalink, shared his perspectives on the technological landscape of Bangladesh’s telecom industry and the strategic initiatives Banglalink is undertaking to stay ahead of the curve.
Turker highlighted the company's award-winning 4G service quality, which has been significantly enhanced by reallocating resources from the phased-out 3G network.
He explained the strategic vision behind phasing out 3G services to improve 4G quality and speed, and the anticipated benefits for both Banglalink and its customers.
He said, “We want to serve the nation, and ‘4G for all’ is our strategy. With this in mind, we reallocated our spectrum and increased network efficiency with the sunset of 3G. As a customer-centric operator, Banglalink has consistently prioritised maximising its investment by embracing advanced 4G services and phasing out 3G since 2021.”
The transition from 3G to enhanced 4G was not without challenges. “3G sunset is an industry practice and involves massive work to transform the ecosystem,” Turker noted.
“It took one year for us to complete the projects. It was a well-thought-out plan for two years, and the entire organisation worked as a team to bring about changes, considering customer behaviour and handset compatibility.
“When we started, some customers were locked into 3G. We transitioned them to VoLTE and 4G using customer touchpoints, SMS, and other channels. We also promoted SIM changes and offered attractive bundles to customers with older-generation SIM cards to ensure they enjoy our services,” he said.
Detailing the meticulous technical process of reallocating network resources from 3G to 4G, Turker said, “The entire activity was a premeditated plan involving detailed analysis of customer behaviour, electronic equipment, and accurate execution. Using our technology-agnostic hardware and software, we made the network ready.
“Execution involved iterative simulations to proactively avoid risks. We planned all reconfiguration works at midnight when the network usage was low and reallocated resources to 4G. This journey was supported by our partners with global insights,” he said.
The impact of this transition on Banglalink’s market position has been very positive. “We improved our capacity by 12 per cent and expanded our 4G coverage,” Turker shared.
“This move reinforced Banglalink's position as the fastest operator in the country, a status we aim to maintain through continued innovation,” he added.
Looking to the future, Banglalink's goal is to connect Bangladesh to the digital world through its comprehensive 4G services. “Our goal is to connect Bangladesh to the digital world using 4G—in other words, 4G for all,” Turker emphasised.
“We want to deliver the best mobile broadband service for all our customers. We have a wide digital portfolio, and the quality of service is fundamental to our business,” he said.
Turker continued, “We sunset 3G first, and eventually, other operators will follow us. We have a 5G-compatible network. Although 5G device penetration in the market is currently low and no significant use cases have emerged yet.”
Discussing the current technological landscape, Turker said, “Bangladesh's telecom industry is on a growth trajectory, with a strong mobile network and increasing internet penetration. There are three major players in the market, offering voice calls and mobile internet. While voice calls still generate more revenue, mobile subscriptions are steadily rising, fuelled by affordable smartphones and a young population. Since the launch of 4G services in 2018, adoption has been increasing and 4G has the potential to bring sustainable development to the socio-economic arena of Bangladesh.”
Turker emphasised Banglalink's pivotal role in this landscape, “Banglalink is a key player in Bangladesh's growing telecom industry, adapting to the rising demand for mobile internet. We focus on a wider network and best-in-class quality of service with a ‘4G for all’ vision. We are the leading digital operator addressing the lifestyle needs of customers in line with the Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041.”
Looking ahead, Turker identified key trends and developments, “The Smart Bangladesh initiative and digital inclusion are key trends and developments we anticipate. We want to contribute to the Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041 initiative and the digitalisation of the nation.
“With a relatively young population, Bangladesh has the potential to build a strong human capital of skilled workers to contribute significantly to the economy. Banglalink wants to be part of that development journey by providing connectivity and superior experiences as needed,” Turker continued.
“We recently launched our 6C Digital Lifestyle services and continuously explore opportunities in the digital domain, including launching an application for digital banking,” he added.
Envisioning a bright future for mobile connectivity in Bangladesh, Turker said, “Bangladesh's mobile connectivity future looks bright. The country can leverage mobile technology to further its digital transformation journey. Banglalink, being one of the largest telecom players, is at the forefront of today's digital ecosystem for creating a Smart Bangladesh.”
Discussing Banglalink's strategic initiatives and forward-thinking vision, Turker explained, “At the core of DO1440 is the innovative 6C Model embedded within the MyBL Super App and Toffee. Through this, we bring a bouquet of digital services in content, e-healthcare, e-education, commerce, community, entertainment, and connectivity.”
“Fortifying our network infrastructure is fundamental to delivering the best-in-class digital services to our customers across Bangladesh,” he said.
Additionally, Turker emphasised, “By leveraging innovative technologies such as self-organised – self-healing networks, AI, cloud infrastructure, VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi), and deploying robust security measures, we plan to improve our portfolio and quality of service.”
