APT Wireless Group 37th Meeting Opens in Dhaka
The 37th session of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Wireless Group commenced in Dhaka, bringing together telecommunications leaders. Bangladesh officials highlighted the country's extensive digital infrastructure and growing mobile subscriber base during the opening ceremony.
The capital city of Bangladesh hosted the grand opening of the 37th session of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Wireless Group. The international gathering took place at the prestigious Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in Dhaka, drawing prominent figures from the telecommunications sector to discuss and deliberate on regional wireless communication advancements.
The inaugural ceremony of the APT Wireless Group's 37th meeting was graced by the presence of the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, who attended the high-profile event as the chief guest. His keynote participation underscored the critical importance of regional cooperation and telecommunications development for the host nation and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Presiding over the inaugural session was Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdad Ul Bari, the Chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). His leadership at the event highlighted the regulatory body's active role in shaping the telecommunications landscape and fostering collaborative dialogues among international delegates attending the conference.
During the proceedings, comprehensive statistical insights regarding the state of telecommunications in Bangladesh were presented, illustrating a rapidly expanding digital ecosystem. Official data revealed that as of July 2026, the country boasts approximately 191 million mobile subscriptions, reflecting widespread mobile penetration among the population. Furthermore, out of these numerous users, more than 108 million subscribers actively utilize advanced 4G services.
To support this surging demand for high-speed mobile internet and connectivity, the telecommunications infrastructure has seen substantial expansion across the nation. Statistical records confirm that there are currently over 49,000 active 4G sites operating nationwide, alongside nearly 46,000 telecommunication towers. Additionally, the foundational backbone of the digital network has been significantly strengthened through the deployment of 173,000 kilometers of fiber optic network infrastructure.
Addressing the international delegates and telecommunications experts at the venue, Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam emphasized the evolving strategic vision of the government regarding digital infrastructure. Highlighting the shift in national priorities, he explicitly stated, 'সংযোগ নয়, গুণগত ও অর্থবহ কানেক্টিভিটিই এখন বাংলাদেশের প্রধান লক্ষ্য।' This declaration reinforced the commitment of Bangladesh to transcend basic connectivity by ensuring that the telecommunications services delivered to citizens are of high quality, reliable, and genuinely meaningful for socio-economic development.
