Power & Connectivity (SIM)
Connectivity may vary by region and season.
Voltage & Plug Types
Electrical standards and outlet shapes
Bangladesh uses 220V / 50Hz with Type C, D, G and K sockets. Bring a universal adapter that covers these types; travellers from 100–120V countries need a converter for devices that are not dual-voltage. Power cuts still occur in some areas, so a power bank is useful.
- Voltage
- 220V / 50Hz
- Sockets
- Type C, D, G, K
- Adapter
- Universal adapter useful
- Most phone/laptop chargers are 100–240V and fine with an adapter
- A power bank helps during occasional power cuts
Buying a SIM Card
Where to buy, costs, and activation process
The main operators are Grameenphone (GP), Robi, Banglalink and Teletalk. Prepaid tourist SIMs are sold at the airport and operator shops, and are cheap with generous data. Registration requires your passport and may involve a photo and biometric (fingerprint) capture. 4G/LTE is good in cities.
- Operators
- Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, Teletalk
- Where
- Airport and operator shops
- Registration
- Passport + possible biometric
- Cheap plans with plenty of data
- 4G/LTE coverage is good in urban areas
eSIM & Mobile Wi-Fi
eSIM availability and portable Wi-Fi rental
eSIM support in Bangladesh is limited but growing, and local operators are gradually rolling it out. International travel eSIMs bought online before arrival are a convenient option and work without a shop visit. Check your phone is eSIM-capable and unlocked before you rely on one.
- Local eSIM
- Limited but growing
- Travel eSIM
- Buy online before arrival
- Check
- Phone eSIM-capable & unlocked
- A physical prepaid SIM remains the most widely available option
Wi-Fi Availability
Public Wi-Fi coverage and security
Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and restaurants in cities such as Dhaka and Chittagong, though speeds vary. Coverage thins out in rural areas. A local SIM or eSIM with mobile data is the most reliable way to stay online on the go. Use a VPN on public networks for sensitive tasks.
- Availability
- Hotels, cafés, restaurants
- Quality
- Varies; thinner in rural areas
- On the go
- Mobile data most reliable
- Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi for banking and logins
Internet Restrictions & VPN
Blocked services and VPN recommendations
The internet in Bangladesh is generally usable and common apps and services work normally. During periods of political unrest, however, authorities have at times temporarily restricted mobile data or specific services. Keep offline maps and key documents saved as a backup.
- Internet
- Generally usable
- Apps
- Common apps work normally
- Note
- Temporary limits during unrest
- Save offline maps and key documents as a backup
Useful Local Apps
Must-have apps for transport, translation, and maps
Handy apps include ride-hailing Uber and local Pathao (cars, bikes and delivery), maps and translation, and mobile financial services such as bKash and Nagad that are widely used for payments. Operator apps like MyGP help manage your prepaid balance and data.
- Ride-hailing
- Uber, Pathao
- Payments
- bKash, Nagad
- Everyday
- Maps, translation, MyGP
- Cash is still common; carry small notes as well
International Calls
How to make international calls and alternatives
Bangladesh's country code is +880. App-based calls such as WhatsApp, Messenger and IMO are very common and cheap for both local and international calls. A local prepaid SIM gives inexpensive calls and data. Save numbers in full +880 format so they work from any network.
- Country code
- +880
- Calls
- WhatsApp, Messenger, IMO common
- Local SIM
- Cheap calls and data
- Save numbers in full +880 international format