2G to be phased out by Dec 2029: BTRC

Bangladesh plans to phase out 2G mobile services by December 2029, a move that could leave around 60 million existing handsets unable to connect to mobile networks.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has submitted specific recommendations to the government outlining a roadmap to phase out the technology by the deadline, according to BTRC Chairman Maj Gen (retd) Emdad Ul Bari.
Under the proposed roadmap, the regulator will stop approving new 2G button-phone models after December 2026. Manufacturing of 2G handsets in Bangladesh will be banned after 31 March 2027, followed by a halt to their sale after 30 June 2027.
In the final phase, 2G services will be discontinued at the subscriber level by December 2029, leaving phones that rely solely on the technology unable to make calls or connect to mobile networks.
The transition could pose challenges for low-income users, particularly elderly people and rural residents who rely on basic feature phones and may struggle to afford smartphones.
To help users switch to newer technology, the government has taken an initiative to introduce an affordable 4G smartphone priced at Tk 5,000.
According to BTRC data for July 2026, 2G handsets account for around 35% of mobile handsets in use, highlighting the scale of the transition.
While 4G networks support high-speed data services alongside voice calls, 2G was primarily developed for voice communication. Its ability to maintain voice connections in areas with weak signals has helped sustain its use among people who need basic calling services.
The proposed phase-out will therefore require not only a shift in network technology but also affordable alternatives for millions of users who still depend on older handsets.