UNB:

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday urged leading Malaysian telecom firm Axiata to roll out 5G services in Bangladesh and invest in the country’s data centres.

Prof Yunus stressed that Bangladesh needs high-speed internet for its growing economy and to attract investment from global companies eager to tap into its digital economy.

He said the interim government is streamlining licensing regimes to create a more business-friendly environment for top telecommunications operators.

Vivek Sood, Group CEO of Axiata Berhad—parent company of cellular operator Robi—said the company had conducted a 5G trial in Bangladesh but noted that the expansion of the country’s fibre optic network is essential for full 5G deployment.

Sood said Robi has invested around $200 million annually in Bangladesh in recent years and remains open to investing in 5G services.

He, however, cited costly spectrum fees and a fragmented licensing regime as factors weighing on foreign operators’ investment decisions.

Sood said Axiata is also interested in joint venture partnerships for data centres in Bangladesh.

Professor Yunus called for stronger collaboration between the private sector and regulators.

“The most important thing is to come closer and understand each other,” he said.

The Axiata team was led by Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, chairman and Independent Non-Executive Director of the Axiata Group.

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun and Senior Secretary for SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed were present on the occasion.

The meeting was also attended by Foong Chee Keong, Axiata Group Chief Regulatory and Government Affairs Officer and Thomas Hundt, the Group’s Chief Business and Technology Officer.