Warid Telecom: The History of its Expansion in Bangladesh
The landscape of mobile communications in Bangladesh saw a significant shift in the mid-2000s with the entry of new international players. One such entry was Warid Telecom International LLC, an Abu Dhabi-based consortium that sought to establish a footprint in the growing South Asian market.
The Entry into the Bangladeshi Market
In December 2005, Warid Telecom International LLC officially entered the market after paying US$50 million to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to obtain a GSM license—a digital cellular network standard used for transmitting voice and data. This acquisition made Warid the sixth mobile phone operator to operate within Bangladesh.
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Launch Challenges and Network Activation
The path to a full commercial launch was not without obstacles. During a press conference on August 17, 2006, the company optimistically announced that its network would be activated in October 2006, two months ahead of the original schedule.
However, this timeline was disrupted when a payment dispute occurred with Nokia, a major equipment supplier. As a result of Nokia walking out on their agreement, Warid was forced to postpone its official cellphone service launch until April 2007.
The Soft Launch Phase
Before the full public rollout, Warid conducted a soft launch at the end of January 2007. During this phase, the operator provided complimentary subscriptions to a selected group of individuals. This allowed the company to facilitate test calls and refine network quality based on direct user feedback.
Rapid Growth and National Coverage
Following its official entry, the operator experienced quick adoption. By July 19, 2007, Warid Telecom successfully surpassed the milestone of 1 million customers.
The company then focused on geographic expansion to ensure accessibility across the country. On June 10, 2008, the network was extended to include the districts of Bandarban, Khagrachhari, and Rangamati. This expansion ensured that all 64 districts of Bangladesh were under Warid's network coverage, officially establishing it as a pan-Bangladeshi mobile network.
Key Facts
- License Cost: US$50 million paid to BTRC in December 2005.
- Market Position: Became the sixth mobile operator in Bangladesh.
- Customer Milestone: Reached 1 million subscribers by July 19, 2007.
- Full Coverage: Achieved pan-Bangladeshi status on June 10, 2008, covering all 64 districts.
- Origin: Operated by an Abu Dhabi-based consortium.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 2005 | Obtained GSM license for US$50 million |
| January 2007 | Conducted soft launch with test subscriptions |
| April 2007 | Official launch of cellphone services |
| July 19, 2007 | Reached 1 million customers |
| June 10, 2008 | Achieved coverage in all 64 districts |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Warid Telecom pay for its license in Bangladesh?
Warid Telecom paid US$50 million to the BTRC in December 2005 to secure its GSM license.
Why was the initial launch of Warid Telecom delayed?
The launch was postponed from October 2006 to April 2007 due to a payment dispute with its major supplier, Nokia.
What was the purpose of the soft launch in January 2007?
The soft launch allowed a selected group of users to make test calls, enabling the operator to adjust and improve network quality based on their feedback.
When did Warid Telecom achieve full national coverage?
Warid became a pan-Bangladeshi network on June 10, 2008, after expanding its services to Bandarban, Khagrachhari, and Rangamati.
How many customers did Warid have by July 2007?
The company crossed the 1 million customer mark on July 19, 2007.