Safeguarding Small ISPs: Taiyeb Signals Supportive Policy Shift
On Monday morning, 24 November, the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for ICT and Telecom, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, delivered good news for the country’s small ISPs.
At a time when allegations are being raised that the new telecom policy is being handed over to foreign entities, he announced on his social media that necessary amendments will be made to the draft guidelines.
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb said, “The government will give maximum protection to small ISPs. Please be patient; the government stands with you.”
He stated that the interim government considers ISPs as small-scale entrepreneurs. Since these entities generate significant employment, the interests of small ISPs will be protected rationally in all four areas of FTSP licensing—revenue sharing, the Social Obligation Fund, becoming a franchisee of large ISPs, and triple-play service.
Welcoming this initiative, ISPA Bangladesh’s Senior Vice President Saiful Islam Siddique said that district-level ISPs made investments for network expansion three years ago. If their service area were reduced now, many would be forced out of business. Ensuring opportunities for new district-level FTSP license holders in the upcoming guideline and implementing it quickly will enable the telecom sector to achieve sustainable growth. At the same time, new employment opportunities will be created at the grassroots.
DBTech/FM/IH/OR
