BTRC Begins Stakeholder Talks on Telecom Policy 2025 Guidelines
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has initiated meetings with operators to draft guidelines under the Telecommunications Network and Licensing Policy 2025. On Wednesday, September 17, more than fifty internet service providers (ISPs) participated in a one-hour session on fixed telecom service licenses at the commission’s conference room.
Participants included PSTN operator BTCL, along with representatives from twelve nationwide, divisional, district, and sub-district ISPs, as well as VSAT and IPTSP operators. Around twelve attendees raised issues regarding clarification of rights in the new guidelines. Nearly all executive committee members of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) were present at the meeting.
Speaking on behalf of ISPs, ISPAB President Aminul Haque emphasized the need for the guidelines to clearly state that no other licensees should be allowed to extend fiber to the customer level for last-mile connectivity beyond internet service providers. He also called for assurances that ICS and ANS licensees would not receive discriminatory rights or limitations. In addition, ISPAB demanded that sub-district ISPs be allowed to offer internet-based services without facing any restrictions and sought specific provisions for ownership transfer in sole proprietorship internet services.
The meeting was chaired by Brigadier General Mohammad Moniruzzaman Jewel, Director General of BTRC’s Spectrum Division, while Brigadier General Md. Aminul Haque, Director General of the Legal and Licensing Division, attentively listened to the issues raised. Following discussions, BTRC urged participants to submit their opinions in writing via email.
As part of the guideline formation process, another meeting has been scheduled for September 18 at the same venue with representatives from the International Internet Gateway Association of Bangladesh (IIGAB), the IGW Operators Forum (IOF), submarine cable operators, BTCL, and seven International Terrestrial Cable (ITC) operators. That session will focus on guidelines for International Connectivity Service Providers (ICSP) licenses. A separate meeting with NTTN operators is also planned later the same day.
