Third Quarter 2026: Back to Growth Supported by Stronger Customer Fundamentals and Next-Gen Network

Grameenphone returned to modest year-on-year revenue growth in the third quarter of 2026, building on the sequential recovery seen in the previous quarter. Revenue stood at 4,017 crores, increasing 0.2% from a year earlier, supported by network expansion, stronger customer engagement, continued data-user growth and resilient data consumption. The company reported a total subscriber base of 8.68 crores at the end of the third quarter. 61.4% of Grameenphone’s total subscribers, or 5.3 crores, are using internet services as stated in the Press Release.

“Our performance this quarter reflects the balance we are working to achieve: returning to growth, protecting profitability and continuing to invest for the future. In Q3, we returned to modest year-on-year revenue growth of 0.2% compared to same period last year and a sequential growth of 0.9%. The improvement was broad-based: our customer base strengthened, data users continued to grow and data consumption remained resilient after the Eid peak. Our return to growth in this quarter is encouraging from different dimensions, and now, our focus is on making that progress sustainable. We will continue adapting our propositions to customers’ evolving needs, deepening data engagement and expanding combo adoption. We maintained a disciplined approach to costs, focusing on operational efficiency while continuing to invest in network quality and customer experience, which resulted in a broadly stable EBITDA year-over-year growth with a margin of around 59%. Year to date CAPEX-to-sales ratio stood at 12.3%, focusing mainly on 4G network & fiber connectivity expansion, along with 700 MHz spectrum deployment. Our network, spectrum and digital platforms give us the capabilities to support Bangladesh’s growing demand for connectivity. We will continue making disciplined investments that strengthen customer experience and our long-term competitiveness,” said Yasir Azman, Chief Executive Officer of Grameenphone Ltd.

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“We are simplifying our technology landscape, sharpening our portfolio and removing friction from customer journeys. As we move forward, AI and automation will increasingly support how we operate and serve customers. We expect the benefits to develop progressively as execution advances. We launched Phase 2 of our Digital Inclusion for Marginalized Communities initiative this quarter, where we aim to reach forty lakh people across eight vulnerable communities, with women making up 70% of participants. We are also extending this ambition into AI journey. Our OneAI student pack is specifically curated to help students explore AI tools, apply them in learning and develop capabilities for future opportunities. Alongside digital inclusion, we continue to advance our environmental commitments and support communities facing immediate challenges. As we look ahead, our priorities are to sustain growth momentum, drive efficiency through AI and digital transformation, and continue disciplined investment for the long term”, he added.

Otto Magne Risbakk, Chief Financial Officer of Grameenphone Ltd., said “In the third quarter, we returned to modest revenue growth. Revenue reached BDT 4,017 crores, up 0.2% year on year, after negative growth in the previous quarters. The positive trends we saw in subscribers and usage are now translating into revenue. Growth was supported by a larger customer base, stronger digital and data performance, and better performance in minutes. Our focus in the fourth quarter is to monetize this momentum and drive further growth. Our customer base continued to grow and is now close to 8.7 crores. Data customers reached 5.3 crores, supported by both lower churn and higher gross additions. Data usage grew by almost 12% in the quarter, continuing the stronger trend we saw in Q2. Costs remained stable at BDT 1,654 crores in Q3, and year-to-date costs were down 0.2%. Our cost management combines short-term actions with longer-term structural measures. We protected profitability- thanks to good cost management for which net income remained broadly stable year on year at BDT 751 crores, following several quarters of negative development. With the global tensions we see and the energy shock, we know that we have to continue to focus very strongly on costs in the fourth quarter. Our disciplined capital allocation and investment over time are now contributing to lower depreciation. Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) improved to 26.6%, up 0.9% compared with a year ago. These indicators reflect the strength of our operating performance and capital management.”

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