The TowerCo Build Forum 2025 convened leading stakeholders from Bangladesh’s telecommunications infrastructure sector to spotlight the urgent need for capacity building and the development of future-ready digital infrastructure.
Held at a city hotel in Dhaka, the event provided a platform for industry leaders to share insights and discuss ongoing challenges in the tower industry. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Major General (Retd) Md. Emdad ul Bari attended the forum as the chief guest.
The forum brought together representatives from all four licensed TowerCo companies—EDOTCO Bangladesh, Summit Towers, Frontier Towers, and ATC Tower. The event also marked the official announcement of the newly formed Bangladesh TowerCo Association, which aims to serve as a unified voice for the sector.
During a panel discussion, representatives from the TowerCos highlighted key challenges such as site acquisition hurdles, inconsistent Distributed Antenna System (DAS) and In-Building Solution (IBS) deployment, battery theft, and inadequate indoor coverage. They emphasized the need for investments in sustainable solutions, unified standards, and stronger public-private coordination.
BTRC Chairman Emdad ul Bari said, “The main driver of the digital economy is the telecommunication industry. Collaboration among stakeholders is crucial to propel the industry forward. Therefore, coordination and cooperation are essential.”
He added that the proposed National Infrastructure and Connectivity Service Provider (NICSP) policy aims to enhance transparency and unlock new business opportunities, while ensuring performance monitoring of industry entities remains a top priority.
Senior telecom officials welcomed the NICSP initiative and the new licensing framework as timely and forward-thinking, though some expressed concerns regarding transparency and the complexity of policy implementation.
Sunil Isaac, Country Managing Director of EDOTCO Bangladesh, noted, “Investors are now looking for market assurance, policy predictability, and most importantly, consistency across the ecosystem.”
Sirajus Salehin, CEO of Frontier Tower, remarked, “There are several challenges in this sector, including tower acquisition and uninterrupted fuel supply. The TowerCo Association will serve as a timely platform to address these issues.”