Grameenphone Wins Two Prestigious Accolades at Asian Telecom Awards 2025 Recognised for ESG Initiative and Mobile Operator of the Year in Bangladesh

[Dhaka, 24 February, 2025]

Grameenphone, the country’s leading telecommunications provider, has been honored for its outstanding contributions to digital inclusion and service excellence at the Asian Telecom Awards 2025 held in Singarpore recently. The company received two awards: ESG Initiative of the Year – Bangladesh and Mobile Operator of the Year – Bangladesh. These recognitions commend Grameenphone’s remarkable Internet er Duniya Shobar – IDS (Internet for All) initiative and its continued leadership in the telecommunications industry.

Grameenphone continues to lead Bangladesh’s telecom industry with its extensive network infrastructure, serving nearly 85 million people, nearly half of the country’s population. With more than 22,000 towers, the company ensures over 95% geographical coverage and 99% population coverage. As an innovation-driven company, Grameenphone was the first in Bangladesh to launch 5G trials in 2022. The company also continues to modernize its services, offering unified IoT solutions through ‘Alo’ and providing seamless and superior customer experiences via MyGP app, the leading local self-service app in the country.

Grameenphone’s sustainability initiatives have set industry benchmarks. The company currently operates over 1,200 solar-powered network towers, reinforcing its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and ensuring uninterrupted service, even in areas with unreliable electricity.

Launched in March 2023, the Internet er Duniya Shobar (IDS) initiative aims to bridge the digital divide, empowering millions of rural women across 2,000 unions in Bangladesh. Through culturally familiar uthan boithok (courtyard gatherings), Grameenphone introduces rural women to the digital world using interactive learning methods, fostering digital awareness. The initiative features quizzes, interactive activities, and tailored content, including healthcare resources developed in collaboration with Dr. Tasnim Jara.

With a low smartphone penetration in urban areas and an even lower penetration in rural regions, women remain significantly underrepresented online, with a stark male-to-female internet usage ratio of around 70:30. IDS is strategically designed to promote digital literacy and access to essential services, empowering women to make informed decisions. Strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Nokia, Dhaka Bank, and Prothom Alo have further amplified the impact of IDS, ensuring scalability and adaptability to meet evolving digital needs.

“At Grameenphone, we believe in the power of internet and connectivity to drive socio-economic progress. We are committed to driving digital inclusion and delivering best-in-class services to our customers. These accolades reaffirm our dedication to customer-centric innovation, sustainability, and connectivity for all. We will continue to push boundaries to ensure no one is left behind in Bangladesh’s digital progress,” said Farha Naz Zaman, Chief Marketing Officer, Grameenphone.

The Asian Telecom Awards honor outstanding achievements in the telecom sector across the Asia-Pacific region. Recognizing companies that drive progress and transformative shifts within the industry, the awards serve as a benchmark for excellence in telecommunications.