5G Rollout in Bangladesh 2026: Coverage, Compatible Devices and Actual Speeds

Bangladesh’s commercial 5G rollout began on 1 September 2025, but coverage remains limited to selected locations. Grameenphone and Robi are the only operators with confirmed commercial 5G services in the January 2026 Opensignal report. Banglalink and Teletalk had not announced 5G launches at the time of the report.

Users need an operator-approved 5G phone, an active connection and coverage in the current location. In most cases, an existing 4G SIM and data pack are sufficient. The main limitation is availability: Opensignal users connected to 5G for only 9.3% of the measured time on Grameenphone and 8.5% on Robi.

Bangladesh’s 5G rollout

Robi was the first operator to switch on commercial 5G on 1 September 2025. Its initial service covered selected locations in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet, including Dhaka University MBA Building, Moghbazar Chowrasta, Fakirapul–Paltan, WASA More, Khulshi, Kataltganj, Panchlaish and Sagar Dighir Par. Robi said the coverage would expand gradually.

Grameenphone announced its commercial 5G service on the same day and described it as available across all eight divisional headquarters. This does not mean continuous coverage throughout every city or division. Its detailed location list identifies specific areas in Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Barisal, Khulna and Sylhet.

At the time covered by Opensignal’s January 2026 report, Grameenphone and Robi were the only Bangladeshi operators with commercial 5G. Reports that Banglalink was considering a future rollout should not be treated as confirmation of current availability. Teletalk also had not announced a 5G launch.

Where 5G is available

Grameenphone

Grameenphone’s published list includes selected Dhaka locations such as Bashundhara, Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, Dhaka University, Airport Circle, Farmgate, Dhanmondi, Agargaon and Mirpur.

Other listed areas include Dolphin More, Marine Drive Entry, Laboni Beach, Sugandha Beach and Kalatoli Beach in Cox’s Bazar; GEC Circle, Khulshi, Dampara and other areas in Chattogram; selected locations in Rajshahi, Rangpur, Barisal and Khulna; and areas such as Pathantuli, Sadipur, Peer Moholla and Zindabazar in Sylhet.

Robi

Robi’s initial 5G footprint was limited to selected locations in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet. The launch areas included Dhaka University MBA Building, Moghbazar Chowrasta and Fakirapul–Paltan in Dhaka; WASA More, Khulshi, Kataltganj and Panchlaish in Chattogram; and Sagar Dighir Par in Sylhet.

A user can be inside a divisional headquarters and still be outside the active 5G zone. Coverage can also vary between outdoor and indoor locations.

Actual 5G speeds

Opensignal collected the data for its January 2026 Bangladesh report between 1 October and 29 December 2025. Robi recorded the higher average 5G download speed, while Grameenphone led the 5G video and games experience measures.

Metric	Grameenphone	Robi
5G download speed	140.7 Mbps	169.0 Mbps
5G upload speed	25.5 Mbps	26.4 Mbps
5G video experience	76.5/100	73.1/100
5G games experience	78.7/100	77.6/100
5G availability	9.3%	8.5%

These figures are averages from Opensignal users connected to 5G. They are not nationwide averages, guaranteed package speeds or theoretical maximums. Actual results depend on location, signal strength, indoor conditions, handset, network load and backhaul.

For comparison, Opensignal’s overall mobile download-speed measurements, covering users on 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G, were 25.4 Mbps on Banglalink, 25.3 Mbps on Grameenphone, 20.6 Mbps on Robi and 15.6 Mbps on Teletalk. This explains why a 5G-capable phone may deliver a different result when it falls back to another network technology.

Compatible phones and SIM requirements

A user needs a 5G-capable handset, coverage at the current location and a model approved by the operator. A phone marketed as “5G” is not automatically guaranteed to work. Regional variants can differ in supported radio bands, software and carrier configuration.

Grameenphone publishes a certified-device list covering Apple, Samsung, Honor, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Tecno, Vivo and Xiaomi devices. Examples include listed iPhone 12 and newer models, iPhone SE (2022), selected Samsung Galaxy phones, OnePlus Nord models, realme 8 5G, several Vivo models and numerous Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices.

Robi also publishes a compatible-device list, including iPhone models, Samsung Galaxy devices, Realme, OnePlus and other 5G phones. The exact model number and regional variant should be checked against the operator’s current list before purchase.

Robi states that customers do not need to replace an existing 4G SIM or obtain a separate activation code. Existing data packs can be used, and Robi says it does not apply a separate charge specifically for 5G. Launch reporting also says a 4G SIM is sufficient for both Robi and Grameenphone.

How to enable 5G

Confirm that the exact handset model appears on the operator’s approved list.
Install the latest phone software.
Open the mobile-network settings and select 5G Auto, 5G Preferred or the equivalent setting.
Use automatic mode rather than forcing 5G continuously, so the phone can fall back to 4G outside the coverage area.
Check for the 5G indicator only after entering an active coverage zone.

Grameenphone 5G fixed wireless broadband

Grameenphone also offers gpfi 5G Fixed Wireless Access, a separate service for homes and offices. It uses a dedicated 5G CPE rather than a smartphone and is listed for selected Dhaka locations, including Dhaka University, Niketan, Bashundhara, Baridhara, Banani, Gulshan and Pink City Model Town.

Grameenphone advertises speeds of up to 100 Mbps. The CPE supports Wi-Fi 6, 4×4 MIMO, carrier aggregation and up to 128 connected devices. The advertised speed is a service ceiling, not a guarantee that every installation will reach 100 Mbps.

What 5G means for users

Where coverage and device support are available, the measured 5G speeds can make large downloads, cloud backups, high-resolution video and content uploads faster. Additional network capacity may also help in busy urban locations.

However, single-digit 5G availability shows that eligible users spent most of the Opensignal measurement period connected to something other than 5G. Users should therefore continue to treat 4G as the main fallback network, especially outside listed locations and indoors.

5G currently improves mobile data more clearly than voice calling. Robi says voice calls switch to VoLTE or 2G/4G rather than using 5G directly.

Practical advice before buying a 5G phone

Check the operator’s current coverage or location page first.
Verify the exact model number and regional variant against the approved-device list.
Do not rely only on a retailer’s general “5G” specification.
Test the connection indoors and outdoors, and at different times of day.
Compare 5G and 4G at the same location. A weak 5G signal may be slower or less stable than a strong 4G connection.
For home broadband, distinguish smartphone 5G from gpfi 5G FWA, which requires a dedicated CPE and fixed installation location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 5G available nationwide in Bangladesh?

No. Grameenphone has announced service in all divisional headquarters, but its detailed list shows selected locations. Robi also describes its service as limited to selected areas.

Which operators currently offer 5G?

Confirmed commercial 5G services are available from Grameenphone and Robi. Banglalink and Teletalk had not announced launches in Opensignal’s January 2026 report.

Do I need a new SIM for 5G?

Generally, no. A compatible 4G SIM or eSIM can be used, provided the handset is approved and the user is in an active 5G area.

Do I need a separate 5G package?

Robi says existing data packs work and that it does not apply a separate charge specifically for 5G. Users should check the operator’s current terms before subscribing.

What speeds should I expect?

Opensignal measured average 5G download speeds of 169.0 Mbps on Robi and 140.7 Mbps on Grameenphone. These are measured averages, not guaranteed speeds.

Will every 5G phone work?

No. The phone must be approved by the relevant operator, and the exact regional variant may matter.

Is smartphone 5G the same as 5G home broadband?

No. Smartphone 5G uses a mobile handset, while gpfi 5G FWA uses a dedicated CPE for a fixed home or office connection.

Conclusion

Bangladesh has entered the commercial 5G era through Grameenphone and Robi, but the rollout remains limited to selected locations. Robi recorded the faster average 5G download speed in Opensignal’s measurement, while Grameenphone led in 5G video experience. Neither result guarantees performance at every address.

For most users, the practical steps are simple: check coverage, verify the exact handset model, keep the existing SIM if supported and compare 5G with 4G at the intended location. In 2026, 5G is a useful option in covered areas, not yet a nationwide replacement for 4G.

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