ISP Protest in Chattogram Against Mobile Operators Entering Fixed Broadband Market

Chattogram – The Chattogram branch of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) staged a human chain protest on Saturday, demanding that no amendments be made to the broadband ISP licensing policy that would allow mobile operators to enter the fixed broadband sector. The demonstration took place in front of the Chattogram Press Club, where over a hundred internet service providers (ISPs) voiced their concerns through slogans and placards.

Protesters carried signs reading: "All ISPs are united, we want to survive together," "My license, my right—no one can take it away," "Mobile operators should stay in mobile services, let local ISPs survive," "The country’s network should remain in local hands—why should foreign telecoms intervene?" and "People have understood the deception of foreign telecom companies."

Shahriar Rubens Rajib, convener of ISPAB’s Chattogram branch, spoke at the event, emphasizing the detrimental impact of allowing mobile operators into the fiber-optic-based fixed broadband market. “If mobile operators enter this sector, 2,200 ISPs across the country will be destroyed. We will lose 200,000 jobs. The livelihoods of one million families are tied to this industry. We will never accept this threat. We will fight to our last drop of blood to prevent mobile companies from entering fixed broadband,” he stated.

Following the protest, ISP representatives held a press conference, where they submitted three key demands to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to safeguard local investment and fair competition. These demands included reserving fixed broadband licenses exclusively for local ISPs, restricting mobile operators to their designated license categories, and maintaining the existing ISP policy without changes to fees or licensing structures.

Alongside Shahriar Rubens, the press conference was attended by ISPAB Chattogram’s Joint Convener Niaz Morshed, Member Secretary Farhan Fuad, and other local ISP leaders. In response to a question, Rubens warned of further action if their demands were not met, stating, “If necessary, we will march towards Dhaka and stage a sit-in protest in front of the BTRC headquarters.”

During the press briefing, ISP representatives expressed concerns over BTRC’s reported plan to introduce a unified license system, which would enable mobile operators to provide fixed broadband services. They warned that such a move would destabilize the internet service industry, create technological and regulatory discrimination, and deprive consumers of stable and reliable service. “If mobile operators are granted fixed broadband licenses, they will establish a monopoly, pushing local ISPs out of business. This will ultimately lead to capital flight from the country as foreign telecom giants dominate the market,” the statement concluded.