Bangladesh ranks among the most densely populated countries on the globe, but its fixed-line penetration remains the lowest in South Asia.
About 80% of fixed telephone services are found in Bangladesh's four main cities, while 80% of the population live in rural villages. Overall fixed line penetration dropped slightly from 2012 to 2017. The market is predicted to decline further over the next five years to 2022 as the mobile segment continues to grow for both voice and data/broadband usage.
In 2017 Bangladesh's government undertook a project to extend fibre-optic connectivity. The project - named Establishment of ICT Network to Remote Areas (Connected Bangladesh) - is expected to benefit 25-30% of the population.
The penetration of Internet users in Bangladesh remains very low by international standards, but has increased over the past five years driven by strong growth in mobile broadband. Leading up to 2020, mobile broadband penetration is expected to continue growing moderately.
Fixed broadband penetration in Bangladesh remains very low mainly due to the dominance of the mobile platform. Also, the limited and declining number of fixed lines is restricting more widespread development of fixed broadband.
Bangladesh's mobile market remains relatively under-developed, but has experienced strong growth over the last five years. Slow to moderate growth is predicted over the next five years to 2022. The market will be constrained from higher growth due to very strong local competition.
Bangladesh has seen a very rapid increase in mobile broadband penetration over the past five years driven by a rising level of mobile subscribers. However, the mobile broadband market is still at an early stage of development with penetration well below most other Asian countries. Strong growth is predicted over the next five years to 2022.
