Overview of Robi
Robi is Bangladesh's second largest telecom operator, operated as a joint venture between Axiata Group and Japan's NTT DoCoMo. As of May 2025, Robi has approximately 57 million users, with a market share of 30.37%. In 2024, Robi's revenue was 99.502 billion Bangladeshi Taka, representing a slight increase of 0.1% year-on-year. Despite challenges such as economic instability, high inflation, and increased SIM taxes, Robi has shown resilience, and user numbers continued to grow after the market gradually recovered in 2025.
For businesses in Bangladesh it uses Axiata's Southeast Asian resources and NTT's technology: IoT connectivity, dedicated APNs, and connection management. 4G carries smart-city, smart-agriculture, and logistics traffic.
Robi facts
- Founded: 1997 (formerly AKTEL, later Robi)
- Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Shareholders: Axiata Group, NTT DoCoMo
- Mobile users: about 57 million (May 2025)
- Market share: 30.37% (second in Bangladesh)
- 2024 revenue: BDT 99.502 billion (up 0.1% year on year)
- Position: Bangladesh's second-largest telecom operator
- Radio access: 4G LTE, NB-IoT
History and milestones
Robi began in 1997 as AKTEL and changed owners more than once. In 2016 Axiata's Robi merged with Airtel Bangladesh to form Robi Axiata. NTT DoCoMo is a major shareholder. Robi kept extending 4G and is Bangladesh's second-largest operator. In 2024, through a difficult economy, revenue still rose 0.1% year on year. In 2025, as the market recovered, users reached 57 million and share was 30.37%.
Core technical capabilities
Second in scale
57 million users, market share 30.37%, second largest in Bangladesh
Axiata+NTT
Axiata in Southeast Asia and NTT in Japan, as the two shareholders
4G network
4G covers major areas, supports high-speed IoT connections
Operational resilience
Revenue maintains growth under 2024 economic challenges
Network standards and coverage
| Technology | Coverage | Uses | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4G LTE | Main regions of Bangladesh | Primary IoT connectivity | Main network |
| NB-IoT | Deployed in main regions | Smart metering and sensors | In commercial service |
| 3G | Nationwide | Older IoT devices | Coverage kept in service |
| 2G | Nationwide | Basic data | Coverage kept in service |
Industry Solutions
Smart city
- Intelligent Traffic Management
- Public lighting control
- Environmental Monitoring Sensors
- Smart parking system
Smart Agriculture
- Farmland Soil Sensors
- Meteorological and Environmental Monitoring
- Remote control of irrigation
- Agricultural Product Traceability
Logistics and Transportation
- Fleet Management
- Real-time Cargo Tracking
- Cold Chain Monitoring
- Warehouse Management
Finance and retail
- ATM remote monitoring
- POS terminal connection
- Branch network
- Mobile payment
Competitive Advantages
- Market Position: 57 million users, the second largest operator in Bangladesh
- Dual Shareholders: Axiata Southeast Asia + NTT Japan technology collaboration
- Operational Resilience: Revenue maintained growth under 2024 economic challenges
- Axiata: Group resources in several countries, including cross-border IoT
- 4G Coverage: 4G network in major areas, high-speed connectivity
Support
Enterprise services
- Dedicated Enterprise Account Manager
- IoT Solution Consulting
- Dedicated APN Configuration
- SLA Guarantee Agreement
Platform Capabilities
- Connection management platform
- SIM Lifecycle Management
- Traffic Monitoring and Alerts
- API Integration
Regional support
- Multi-country coordination by Axiata Group
- Cross-border roaming solutions
- Localized technical support
- Compliance and licensing consultation