Grameenphone today announced the opening of its 3G network in Bashundhara, central Dhaka, marking the beginning of the previously announced national roll-out of 3G services.
 
Advocate Shahara Khatun, MP, Honorable Minister for Post and Telecommunications Ministry inaugurated the 3G network together with Jon Fredrik Baksaas, CEO of Telenor Group and Vivek Sood, CEO of Grameenphone.

Speaking on the occasion the Minister said, “I would like to thank Grameenphone for taking initiative to rollout 3G early. I hope that Grameenphone will expand 3G services around the country the way it had taken mobile telephony to people of this country.”

For the time being, the network will be used by Grameenphone employees and some selected customers, who are expected to give valuable feedback ahead of the commercial launch. As previosly announced, Grameenphone plans to launch commercial 3G-services by early October for selected areas of Dhaka and Chittagong. All divisional cities will be covered by December 2013, while the 64 district towns will be covered by end of first quarter of 2014.

“Grameenphone has been a long-term contributor to the development of Bangladesh through its 16 years of operation. With 3G, Grameenphone is taking an important step in its mission to help the country move ahead by providing the opportunities of internet access for all Bangladeshis. I thank the government and its representatives for acknowledging this effort and look forward to seeing Grameenphone bringing a new era of mobile services to Bangladesh,” said Jon Fredrik Baksaas, CEO of Telenor Group.

Grameenphone acquired 10 MHz of 3G-spectrum in an auction arranged by BTRC recently, more than any other participating operator. The spectrum, which is part of the 2100 MHz-band, will enable the roll out of a nationwide network with enhanced capacity up 3.9G and instant mobile internet access for all customers.

Other distinguished guests at the inauguration event at Grameenphone's headquarters included Abu Bakar Siddiqi, MoPT Secretary, Mr. Abdus Samad, Acting Chairman of BTRC, HE Ragne Birte Lund, the Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Sigve Brekke, Chairman of Grameenphone Board.
 

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