Three Strong Objections from Internet Providers to CMSP Clauses in New Guidelines
The Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) has submitted a 23-page proposal to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) outlining detailed observations and objections to the draft telecom policy. Responding to BTRC’s public call for feedback, the commercial association presented the proposal in line with four key guidelines, incorporating amendments and corrections to the Fixed Telecom Service Guideline (FTS).
In its proposal, ISPAB raised strong objections on seven major issues, identifying three as “directly conflicting” with the existing Telecom Policy and Cellular Mobile Service Provider (CMSP) Guidelines. Citing specific reference clauses, ISPAB urged three corrections to the CMSP guidelines and four additional amendments to the FTS guidelines.
ISPAB Seeks Clear Separation of Mobile and Fixed Services
The association proposed that the CMSP guideline be amended to revoke permissions allowing Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services such as GP WiFi, Robi WiFi, Banglalink WiFi, and hotspot connectivity under mobile operators. The proposal argued that “according to the policy, these features should fall exclusively under FTS.”
ISPAB also demanded the cancellation of CMSPs’ authorization to install fiber connections within homes, offices, or indoor premises. Furthermore, it called for a prohibition on the commercial use of ISM/WiFi bands by mobile operators for service delivery, asserting that such privileges should be reserved for fixed-band service providers.
Clarity Demanded on Infrastructure Sharing and IP Telephony
The proposal called for explicit instructions regarding active infrastructure sharing in line with the current FTSP policy. It also urged the commission to issue detailed guidance on IPTSP SMS services and mobile dialer operations, noting that ambiguities in these areas have caused regulatory inconsistencies.
Revenue Sharing, License Fees, and Disparities Under Fire
ISPAB recommended abolishing or reconsidering the 5.5% revenue-sharing fee, 1% Social Obligation Fund (SOF) contribution, and the high license fee structure imposed on FTS providers. It also demanded the removal of discriminatory provisions between national and district-level Fixed Telecom Service Providers, emphasizing the need for a level playing field.
Fixed telecom operators argued that allowing mobile operators to provide fixed connectivity through FWA and last-mile fiber would create an uneven competitive environment. “This will increase broadband costs for end-users by up to 20%, destabilizing service prices and hindering essential sectors like education, health, and media,” the association warned.
ISPAB President Warns of Rising Costs and Digital Divide
ISPAB President Aminul Hakim criticized the proposed framework, saying, “The government’s telecom policy has deviated from its original objectives. These regulations are no longer aligned with public interest.”
He further noted that the government currently collects 21.45% in revenue from the telecom sector, and the proposed policy would raise that to 40.25%. “Under the new BTRC rules, a Tk 700 internet package could cost between Tk 850 and Tk 900,” he said, adding that such price hikes would “burden grassroots consumers and widen the digital divide between urban and rural areas.”
“In one hand, the government speaks about reducing internet prices, while on the other, its policy decisions are making it even more expensive,” he remarked.
