Bangladesh operators Banglalink and Grameenphone have both acquired new 4G spectrum during an auction of airwaves in the 1800-MHz and 2100-MHz bands.
Banglalink paid $308.6 million for 5.6 MHz of spectrum in the 1800-MHz band and 5 MHz of spectrum in the 2100-MHz band, the Daily Starreported.
In a statement, Banglalink said the auction win has allowed the operator to expand its total spectrum holding by over 50% to 30.6 MHz across three different bands.
The operator will use the new frequencies to fulfil its spectrum requirements for a 4G launch. Banglalink has meanwhile applied for a technology neutral license which would allow it to provide 2G, 3G or 4G services in any band.
Rival Grameenphone meanwhile paid $155 million for a 5 MHz block of spectrum in the 1800-MHz band.
But mobile operators Robi and state-owned Teletalk both elected not to participate, leaving the government well short of its target of raising 110 billion taka ($1.32 billion) from the auction.
Banglalink, Grameenphone, Robi and Teletalk are all expected to be awarded 4G licenses by February 20, and will need to pay a 100 million taka 4G license fee. All four operators are ready to launch 4G services as soon as licenses are allocated.