Telcos Seek Priority Power, Fuel to Avert Outages

Mobile telecom operators in Bangladesh have urged authorities to ensure priority access to electricity and fuel for critical infrastructure, warning that ongoing shortages could trigger serious disruptions in nationwide communication services.

The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) said the sector is under growing pressure due to prolonged power cuts and difficulties in securing fuel supplies. Operators say they are increasingly dependent on diesel generators to keep mobile networks running as grid electricity remains unreliable in many areas.

According to AMTOB, mobile operators are currently consuming around 52,425 litres of diesel and 19,859 litres of octane daily to operate base transceiver station (BTS) sites across the country. In addition, data centres and switching hubs of major operators such as Grameenphone, Robi and Banglalink require about 27,196 litres of diesel every day. Some high-load facilities reportedly consume 500 to 600 litres of diesel per hour.

AMTOB President Ziad Shatara said maintaining uninterrupted service has become increasingly difficult under the present conditions. He stressed that mobile connectivity is now essential for communication, banking, emergency services and digital transactions, and any prolonged disruption could have widespread consequences.

AMTOB Secretary General Lt Col Mohammad Zulfikar (retd) warned that the shutdown of telecom data centres due to fuel or electricity shortages could quickly impact the entire network. He described data centres as the “brain” of telecom operations, adding that their failure would bring down services across large areas.

The association also noted that several regions are experiencing daily power cuts lasting five to eight hours. At the same time, fuel transport between districts has been affected by logistical constraints, further complicating operations.

To prevent a nationwide communication breakdown, AMTOB has called for urgent measures, including uninterrupted electricity supply to telecom infrastructure, priority status for mobile towers in power distribution, direct fuel supply from depots, and smoother transportation of fuel for operational needs.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has acknowledged the issue, saying it is working with relevant ministries to keep essential telecom services stable.

Officials from major operators have also highlighted the urgency of the situation. A senior representative of Grameenphone said the ongoing global fuel pressure is affecting electricity and fuel availability for telecom networks. The company welcomed government support so far but stressed the need for faster and more targeted measures.

Operators warned that without immediate intervention, service quality could deteriorate further, affecting millions of users who depend on mobile networks for daily life and critical services.