BTRC Warns of ‘Existential Threat’ Under New Telecom Ordinance
During the final days of the ousted government, the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) faced widespread criticism for its use of surveillance tools. Yet it was the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) that ultimately moved to the center of discussion following the nationwide internet shutdown during the July mass uprising. Seeking to move beyond the discomfort associated with the word “regulator” in its title, BTRC officials began expressing a desire to become a “facilitator.”
In an effort to free itself from politically influenced liability tied to certain licensed operators, the interim government’s BTRC wrote to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology on 16 April, requesting restoration of its regulatory autonomy.
The letter sought exemption from a set of mandatory “prior approvals” introduced through amendments to the 2010 Telecommunications Act—approvals required for issuing and renewing licenses, taking administrative actions, changing license names, approving tariffs, and other key functions.
In response, the government drafted the Telecommunications Ordinance 2025, aimed at blocking arbitrary internet shutdowns and overhauling the outdated licensing framework. The new law proposes a three-tier licensing system. To ensure transparency and accountability—especially after the political misuse of state institutions under the previous government—the draft requires BTRC to obtain clearance from a 12-member committee before taking major policy decisions.
The proposed committee would include the Cabinet Secretary; Secretaries of the Telecom Division, IMED, Finance, and Planning; the CEO of the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority; a telecom policy expert with 20 years’ experience; two senior technologists from government or private institutions; two university professors specializing in telecommunications; a retired judge; and a Supreme Court lawyer.
However, BTRC officials argue that such mechanisms would weaken the commission’s independence and make it more “subservient.” They have expressed disagreement with Sections 30–36 of the proposed ordinance, calling instead for a return to the 2001 Telecommunications Act framework.
Speaking to the media on 5 November, a day after the revised draft was published, BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdadul Ul Bari stated that there must be a balance between accountability and independence. “If prior approval is needed at every step, it becomes control, not accountability. BTRC itself is a regulator—such conditions go against its very spirit,” he said.
Sources confirm that the draft ordinance will be presented to the Advisory Council for approval on Thursday, 11 December. Once approved, it will come into effect through a presidential ordinance.
Meanwhile, BTRC officers and staff are preparing for a possible work stoppage if the new law fails to secure the commission’s autonomy. Some officials, declining to be named, said discussions about going on “pen-down strike” were finalized by Wednesday afternoon. They fear the new law would push BTRC into an existential crisis.
On the other hand, the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb believes the new law will shift the sector from inequality to equilibrium. He says the legislation is being shaped through multiple consultations to ensure transparency and eliminate bias.
However, Taiyeb recently ran into resistance while attempting to bring duty-evaded foreign phones under registration through the NEIR system on 16 December. He is reportedly under pressure from powerful industry groups opposed to removing certain licensing tiers and curbing preferential opportunities. Despite allowing a three-month grace period for “baggage party” grey-market phones after NEIR enforcement, some groups have even taken to the streets demanding his resignation. Experts warn that the situation may become more concerning if BTRC employees join such protests.
DBTech/MUM/EK/OR
