Policy, Progress, and Partnerships: SATRC Workshop Kicks Off in Dhaka
Organized by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), a three-day workshop on policy, regulation, and services has commenced in Dhaka with the participation of South Asian telecommunication regulatory bodies.
The workshop, held at the BTRC building in Agargaon, features representatives from telecommunications and ICT regulatory agencies of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, the Maldives, and Iran, alongside telecom operators, government and private sector officials, and ICT experts — totaling around 200 participants. Among the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) affiliate members participating are China’s Huawei Technologies, Amazon India, Singapore’s Internet Society Asia Limited, and Belgium’s Cullen International.
The inaugural ceremony was held on Monday morning, presided over by BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdad Ul Bari, with Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Post, Telecommunication and ICT Affairs, attending as the chief guest.
Masanori Kondo, Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity, delivered the welcome address at the event.
In his remarks, Dr. Khawar Siddique Khokhar, Member of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and Chair of the SATRC Workshop on Policy, Regulation, and Services, stated, "Telecommunication services play a vital role in the social and economic development of a country and are indispensable. Collaborative efforts among all stakeholders are needed to ensure affordable, accessible, and quality services for consumers. The exchange of experiences among participants at this workshop will drive the South Asian region forward."
Masanori Kondo further remarked, "The workshop aims to share insights, experiences, and best practices among member states, bringing forth critical perspectives on various challenges, opportunities, and advancements, which will contribute significantly to regulatory and policy formulation. I thank BTRC for the well-organized event."
BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdad Ul Bari highlighted that various countries around the world are adopting advanced technologies such as 5G, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet of Things, alongside strengthening consumer protection and enhancing digital infrastructure. He emphasized that "if these initiatives are adopted not in isolation but through regional coordination, national progress will accelerate."
He further noted, "Like our neighboring countries, Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in expanding mobile coverage, digitizing services, and promoting financial inclusion through digital platforms. Sharing experiences and knowledge from each other's challenges and successes during this workshop will help forge a collective trajectory for the future."
Throughout the first day of the workshop, various sessions discussed challenges for regulatory bodies in managing fixed and mobile broadband in the era of emerging technologies, appropriate use of Universal Service Regulation Funds for digital inclusion, recommendations, strategies, and impacts, and advancements in regulating ICT e-waste management for sustainable development.
On the second day, sessions will cover topics such as digital consumer protection: tackling online scams and financial fraud; shaping future tariff policies: analyzing convergence and the impact of emerging telecom/ICT services in South Asia; and Smart Cities and Societies: experiences and case studies in IoT, Big Data, and similar technologies in South Asian countries.
The third day will focus on net neutrality in developing countries: challenges, opportunities, and policy guidance; and digital transformation within the South Asian regulatory framework.
The South Asian Telecommunication Regulatory Council (SATRC) was established in 1997 with the collaboration of telecommunications regulators across South Asia. The council formulates strategies related to radio frequency coordination, standardization, regulatory trends, telecommunications sector development, and regional and international cooperation. Each year, the council hosts conferences, workshops, and symposiums on key issues concerning its member states.
