Bandwidth Battle: Allegations of Corruption in Bangladesh's IGW Operations
The internet bandwidth that reaches Bangladesh comes via undersea submarine cables and through India’s border-based International Terrestrial Cable (ITC) connections. This bandwidth is routed through 26 International Gateway (IGW) operators and 30 local and foreign designated voice call operators, facilitated by Interconnection Exchange (ICX) providers. However, rather than ensuring equal opportunity among IGW operators, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) granted authority for handling international calls to seven entities under the IGW Operators Forum (IOF), a group reportedly influenced by powerful interests.
During the tenure of the now-defunct Awami League government, this arrangement allegedly allowed the IOF syndicate to monopolize IGW operations and embezzle BDT 6.25 billion under the guise of market development funds. The funds were deposited into Beximco Computers—a company linked to the then Prime Minister’s investment advisor, Salman F Rahman—despite the company not holding an IGW license.
According to sources, BTRC’s Finance, Accounts, and Revenue Division raised concerns regarding the lack of transparency in IOF’s fund utilization in a letter dated December 18, 2023. The subsequent audit report, based on data as of December 31, 2024, revealed a total fund accumulation of BDT 6.25 billion, with only BDT 53.2 million remaining in the account.
In response to another letter, IOF submitted two formal proposals to BTRC on January 30. One proposal claimed that raising the international call termination ceiling for non-IOF operators to 2 million would lead to unhealthy competition. IOF instead advocated for retaining the earlier limit of 1 million.
Due to these financial irregularities, BTRC is reportedly planning to refer the matter to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), as discussed in a recent commission meeting.
Sources allege that over the past 16 years, prominent Awami League leaders such as Shamim Osman, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and Shamsul Haque Tuku were involved in acquiring IGW licenses through political influence. Entities associated with them—such as Vision Tel Ltd (BDT 2.35 billion), Ratul Telecom (BDT 1.3 billion), Kai Telecom (BDT 1.26 billion), Telex Ltd (BDT 1.13 billion), Apple Global Tel (BDT 1.18 billion), and BestTech Telecom (BDT 1.97 billion)—allegedly shut down operations with significant dues unpaid.
Jamuna TV reported that Salman F Rahman’s company collected these funds ostensibly to recover outstanding dues and curb illegal VoIP operations. Journalist Masuzzaman Robin from the channel stated that IOF collected a 4% cut from international calls, which was used to create the so-called market development fund. He further alleged that actual call rates were concealed, allowing revenue evasion through irregular call distributions.
Under Salman’s directives, all IGW operators were required to deposit monthly payments into Beximco Computers' account for five years, totaling BDT 6.31 billion across 249 transactions. Additional funds were transferred—25 times to BanglaTrac Communications, 42 times to Global Voice Telecom, 25 times to Digicon, and once to Unique Info—yet not a single taka from the fund has reportedly been used to clear BDT 3.2 billion in dues owed to mobile operators.
