Legal international calls into Bangladesh, VoIP traffic included, enter through licensed International Gateway (IGW) operators at a termination rate set by the regulator, the BTRC, and then pass through an interconnection exchange (ICX) to the mobile networks. The licensing structure is being reformed as of 2026, and illegal VoIP termination through SIM cards remains the main risk for buyers.
Rules last checked: October 2026.
Regulator and operators
The regulator is the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). Four mobile operators carry almost all calls:
- Grameenphone: the largest network.
- Robi: the second network.
- Banglalink: the third network.
- Teletalk: the state owned operator, with a small share.
Mobile numbers use the ranges 13 to 19 after the country code 880. Fixed lines are a minor share of traffic. Bangladesh has mobile number portability, so the prefix alone does not always show the current network; see mobile number portability and call routing.
How international calls enter Bangladesh
Under the gateway system set up by the 2010 international long distance policy (ILDTS), an inbound call follows a fixed chain:
- A foreign carrier hands the call to a licensed IGW operator.
- The IGW passes it to an ICX (interconnection exchange) operator.
- The ICX delivers it to the access network: Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, Teletalk or a fixed operator.
The BTRC sets the international incoming termination rate, and the revenue is shared between the BTRC, the IGW, the ICX and the access operator. The rate has been changed several times over the years, partly to make legal termination competitive with illegal routes and with app based calling, which has taken a large share of the diaspora traffic. Legal incoming volumes have fallen a long way from their peak.
In 2025 the government adopted a new telecom network and licensing policy that replaces the 2010 ILDTS policy and cuts the number of licence categories. Reports on the policy say IGW licences will be phased out by 2027 and ICX licences will not be renewed when they expire. As of 2026 the transition is still under way, so ask your carrier which licensed path the route uses today and whether it will change when the new licences take over.
Illegal VoIP and SIM box termination
Terminating international calls through local SIM cards (often called "illegal VoIP" in Bangladesh) avoids the gateway chain and its revenue share. The BTRC has blocked large numbers of SIMs used this way, seized equipment and introduced a traffic monitoring and anti-fraud system that can detect illegal termination. It has also suspended voice services of IGW operators that broke the rules.
For a buyer, a Bangladesh route priced far below what the regulated chain allows is the classic sign of bypass. Typical symptoms are a local mobile number shown instead of your caller ID, short calls, one-way audio and routes that stop working overnight. See SIM box bypass fraud and short duration calls.
What buyers usually ask for
| Request | Why |
|---|---|
| Breakout per operator | Grameenphone, Robi and Banglalink can perform differently on the same route; see VoIP breakouts |
| CLI route | Diaspora callers expect their number to show; see CLI vs non-CLI |
| Legal gateway path | Routes through a licensed IGW are steadier than bypass routes |
| Realistic ASR and ACD | Watch for answer rates and call lengths that do not match your traffic; see ASR, ACD and PDD |
What drives the price
The base is the BTRC termination rate and its revenue share, which every legal route must cover. Above that, price depends on the IGW and transit carriers involved, the CLI type, the operator and the billing increment. Changes in the licensing regime can also move costs, so treat any long term price as subject to the transition. More in what drives VoIP termination prices.
Getting a route
See the Bangladesh VoIP termination page and, for messaging, A2P SMS to Bangladesh with the Bangladesh sender ID rules. Tell us the operators, CLI type, traffic type and volume, and we source and manage the route through our VoIP termination service. Request a Bangladesh voice route.
Frequently asked questions
Is VoIP legal in Bangladesh?
International voice is legal when it follows the licensed path: a foreign carrier hands calls to a licensed IGW operator, which passes them through an ICX to the access network. Terminating international calls through local SIM cards, called illegal VoIP in Bangladesh, bypasses that chain and is pursued by the BTRC with SIM blocking and equipment seizures.
What is an IGW in Bangladesh?
An IGW (International Gateway) is an operator licensed to exchange international calls with foreign carriers. Inbound calls pass from the IGW to an ICX (interconnection exchange) and then to the access network. Under the 2025 telecom network and licensing policy, reports say IGW licences will be phased out by 2027, so the structure is changing.
Who are the mobile operators in Bangladesh?
There are four: Grameenphone, the largest network, Robi, Banglalink and the state-owned Teletalk, which has a small share. Mobile numbers use the ranges 13 to 19 after the country code 880, and fixed lines are a minor share of traffic. Number portability means the prefix does not always show the current network.
Do I need a VoIP license in Bangladesh?
To carry international calls inside Bangladesh, yes: that role is reserved to operators licensed by the BTRC, and the licence categories are being reformed under the 2025 policy. A foreign buyer sending calls to Bangladesh does not terminate them itself, so it should use a carrier whose route lands on the licensed gateway path.
Need a route?
Send the destination, route type and target rate. We reply with what we can deliver.