SIM Buying Guide to first time users in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has a number of mobile operators who are offering cheap prepaid and postpaid services with good country wide network coverage. Being a new user, it is easy to grasp the registration, the operators and the options available to a seamless connection without complications. Bangladesh simplifies the process of acquiring SIM despite the fact you may be a tourist or a relocating resident by use of various convenient means.
Major Mobile Operators
The Grameenphone has the largest network coverage and the fastest internet speed in the telecom market of Bangladesh. Robi Axiata and Airtel (previously Banglalink) have competitive rates and are known to be reliable in service delivery, and Banglalink Digital is able to offer low-cost offers. The state-owned operator Telephone is called Teletalk and targets government workers as well as providing Gen-Z packages to younger users.
Important Paperwork Necessary.
Photocopies of your photo and visa pages are required in all operators as registration to passport is mandatory. One or two passport-sized photographs and evidence of local address (hotel receipt liked when you are a tourist) are also required. BTRC regulations mandate use of biometric checkups by fingerprint scanning as a majority of providers do. Bring original documents and copy to facilitate registration.
Where to Purchase
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC), Shah Amanat Airport (CGP), and Osmani Airport (ZYL) have airport kiosks that provide direct connection at exorbitant costs. There are official operator shops in the big cities such as Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet which have knowledgeable personnel and normal prices. Registered sales points and mobile retail stores located in the cities provide competitive prices- use Google Maps to find the nearest ones.
Cost and Plans
Physical SIM cards are priced between 200 and 350 BDT (~PS1-PS3), and the most popular prepaid plans come with 250 BDT and 10GB of data that lasts 30 days. Grameenphone has a 25GB package that costs a total of 549 BDT (349 BDT plan and 200 BDT SIM card) to use long-term in Bangladesh without the need to register with the operator (eSIM services from the other providers also provide unlimited data at $64.90/month).
Registration Process
Go to official stores, hand in documents and employees will register your passport, and activate your SIM within minutes. Evaluate the connectivity of the test prior to departing the store by loading Google or social media. In the case of eSIMs, buy and scan QR codes in the mail and use right away on your devices—convenient in the situation when you do not want to deal with registration issues.
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