VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON, Euronext Amsterdam: VEON), a global digital operator that provides converged connectivity and online services, (“VEON” or the “Company”), announces that its digital operator Banglalink has become the first in Bangladesh to phase out 3G services, as part of its strategy to enhance 4G performance throughout the country through reallocation of network resources.
The 3G phase out follows extensive investment by Banglalink in next generation 4G networks to provide high-quality nationwide connectivity and accelerate the use of digital services. Banglalink’s 4G subscriber base have grown from 8.0 million at the end of 2020 to 21.5 million at the end of the first quarter of 2024, while its population coverage in 4G increased from 60% to 88% in the same period.
The operator is recognized for the provision of fastest 4G service in the country, winning the Ookla® Speedtest Award™ for four consecutive years.
“As Bangladesh’s Digital Operator, our goal is to deliver seamless connectivity and innovative services to our customers,“ explains Erik Aas, CEO of Banglalink. “By reallocating more resources to 4G, we will take the customer experience to new heights and enhance our customers' 4G experiences. We are also helping to accelerate the nation’s journey towards the 'Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041', supported by new fast infrastructure and state-of-the-art digital services.”
Banglalink’s increasing focus on the 4G will further support the user experience on the operator’s digital services, especially for Banglalink’s “multiplay” customers who use both 4G connectivity and the company’s leading digital services Toffee and MyBL. Toffee, the country’s leading entertainment platform which serves 8.4 million monthly active users is set to exclusively stream six International Cricket Council events in 2024 and 2025, starting in June 2024.