BTRC Holds Second Workshop on Telecom Network and Licensing Reform
As part of its initiative to reform the telecom sector’s network and licensing structure, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) organized a second consultative workshop on Thursday at its headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.
Speaking at the day-long workshop, BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdad Ul Bari emphasized the necessity of adapting to evolving technologies. He stated, "Technology is constantly changing, and we must keep pace with new advancements. The network topology will be revised with a focus on digital services. We are already experiencing the benefits of connectivity, and now we must harness technology to enhance various businesses and services."
Highlighting the need for a simplified and cost-effective telecom network framework, the BTRC Chairman acknowledged that the proposed reforms might not cater to all stakeholders equally. However, he assured that "the reform will be implemented with the broader interest of ensuring affordable and high-quality services for the people of the country, as well as supporting national economic progress."
In his welcome speech, BTRC's Commissioner of Engineering and Operations, Brigadier General (Retd.) Iqbal Ahmed, stated that the reform efforts would prioritize the greater public interest and consumer perspective. He added that the transformation of existing license holders' business models would be taken into consideration.
Proposed Licensing Framework
The proposed reforms classify telecom licenses into three potential categories:
- Access Service Providers – Operators providing customer-level services.
- National Connectivity Service Providers – Entities responsible for nationwide connectivity.
- International Connectivity Service Providers – Operators handling international connectivity services.
During group discussions, industry representatives shared insights on various aspects, including active sharing, last-mile connectivity, flexible regulations for new technologies and platforms, open licensing policies, bandwidth price regulations, and open-access transmission.
For national-level service providers, stakeholders emphasized eliminating unnecessary layers, fostering a competitive market, ensuring open market access, revising tax policies and revenue sharing models, establishing a quality-based service framework, enabling infrastructure sharing, introducing transparent tariff policies, and expediting the reform implementation process.
For international service providers, discussions included infrastructure sharing, tariff regulation, allowing all licensees to provide services across all routes, harmonization of telecom policies with ICT laws, deregulation of data centers, opportunities for cross-border services, and investment facilitation through joint ventures, foreign investment, and consortium formations.
The workshop was attended by BTRC’s Commissioner of Spectrum, Mahmud Hossain; Director General of Systems and Services, Brigadier General Mohammad Khalil Ur Rahman; and other senior officials from BTRC. Representatives from Bangladesh Bank, National Telecom Monitoring Center (NTMC), Armed Forces Division, Telecommunication Directorate, Bangladesh Submarine Cables Limited, Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited, Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL), Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), mobile operators, ISPs, IGW Operators Forum of Bangladesh, Association of ICX Operators Bangladesh, tower companies, Nationwide Telecom Transmission Network (NTTN), Interconnection Exchange (ICX), International Internet Gateway (IIG), National Internet Exchange (NIX), tower operators, and the Bangladesh Association of Call Centers and Outsourcing (BACCO) also participated. Additionally, telecom and IT experts from BUET, MIST, North South University, and BRAC University were present.
