Telecom Transformation: Bangladesh Unveils Updated Licensing Landscape
Bangladesh has officially repealed existing IGW, IIG, ACX, and NIX licenses while regularizing call center, vehicle tracking services, and TVAS registration certificates under the newly published Telecommunications Network and Licensing Regulations 2025. The regulations also consolidate the National Telecommunications Transmission Network (NTTN) and tower-sharing licenses into a single National Infrastructure and Connectivity Services license. V-SAT will continue as a special category fixed telecom service, while NGSO and satellite operator licenses will operate under the Satellite Service License as non-terrestrial network and service provider licenses.
The new framework paves the way for the expansion of modern technological services including MVNOs, VO Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 7, IoT, and AI. The licensing process has been streamlined into three tiers: Access Network Service Provider (ANSP), National Infrastructure and Connectivity Service Provider (NICSP), and International Connectivity Service Provider (ICSP).
For transitioning to the new system, a three-phase migration roadmap has been adopted. The first phase implements the reform policies, the second initiates the new licensing framework, and the final stage mandates service provision under the new license. The final phase of the migration roadmap is set to begin after June 30, 2027 (soft cut-off date). During this period, existing licensees must migrate to the new categories and comply with specific rollout obligations, service quality (QoS) standards, and other regulatory conditions defined in their licensing directives. BTRC will evaluate licensees’ performance against these standards during renewals and regulatory assessments.
The notification was issued on Monday, 22 September, by the Telecom Division of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology. The BTRC’s International Long Distance Telecommunications Service (ILDTS) Policy, 2010, has been simultaneously repealed.
The new regulations specify that services with a significant impact on market structure, government revenue, or widespread consumer access—such as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)—will be regulated under a proportionate framework. This may include full or light-touch licensing to ensure fair competition, consumer protection, and equitable market entry. BTRC will issue separate guidelines detailing MVNO eligibility, interconnection, dispute resolution, and operational conditions.
Under the published gazette, the ANSP category will comprise two types of licenses: cellular and fixed telecom service providers. Foreign ownership for mobile operators under ANSP will be capped at 85 percent. Fixed telecom service provider licensees will be authorized to deliver all types of services and deploy wired, optical fiber-based, or fixed-wireless technologies, covering domestic and international voice services, data and internet services, and any value-added services.
