Telecom Think Tank Calls for Long-Term Digital Infrastructure Reform in Bangladesh

Telecom sector experts have urged the government to adopt a modern, future-ready telecom policy to align Bangladesh’s digital economy with the demands of the next decade. They emphasized the need for long-term infrastructure planning, affordable spectrum pricing, opening government infrastructure for telecom use, introducing a single-window approval system, and formulating updated policy frameworks on artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.

The recommendations came during a policy seminar organized by the Telecom Reporters Network Bangladesh (TRNB) at InterContinental Dhaka on Saturday.

While presenting the keynote paper at the seminar on May 16, telecom expert and Company Secretary of Robi Axiata, Barrister Shahed Alam, said Bangladesh has largely become a consumer market for digital services, but coordinated policy reforms are now essential to transform the country into a hub for innovation, technology production, and a high-value digital economy.

In his presentation titled “The Future of Telecom and the Vision of the New Government,” Shahed Alam said platform-based connectivity is creating new opportunities in the telecom era. Over the last decade, data usage has increased by 80 percent, including 44 percent growth in mobile usage, 55 percent growth in internet usage, and 50 percent growth in digital wallets. Communication between humans and machines has also increased significantly, while spectrum usage has risen fourfold.

TRNB President welcomed the guests, while General Secretary Masuduzzaman Robin said the seminar was part of TRNB’s ongoing efforts to bridge communication between the government and the public to encourage foreign investment and protect local entrepreneurs in the telecom sector.

The event was attended by Posts, Telecommunications, ICT and Science Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam as the chief guest. Prime Minister’s Adviser Asif Asad Rehan and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Chairman Emdad Ul Bari attended as special guests.

Other speakers included Nurul Kabir, Competition Commission Director General Abu Naser, Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh Secretary General Mohammad Zulfikar, Teletalk Bangladesh Limited Managing Director Nurul Mabud Chowdhury, Banglalink Head of Regulatory Affairs Taimur Rahman, and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Professor Dr. Lutfa Akter.

The keynote paper highlighted that although Bangladesh has made significant progress in mobile and internet connectivity over the last decade, major disparities still exist in digital usage. The rate of unique internet users remains below 50 percent, while smartphone penetration has yet to reach expected levels.

It also noted that despite the rapid growth of international data traffic, there is still no long-term planning for expanding submarine cable capacity, fiber-optic networks, data centers, or bandwidth infrastructure.

According to the presentation, demand for data in Bangladesh is expected to rise sharply over the next decade due to the expansion of AI, cloud computing, fifth-generation mobile technology (5G), and Internet of Things (IoT) services. In this context, experts stressed the urgent need for a new national telecom policy, a modern broadband policy, and an integrated digital infrastructure strategy.

Shahed Alam warned that the current policy framework would not be sufficient to meet the demands of the future digital economy.

The paper also proposed reducing policy uncertainty, simplifying the complex licensing process, modernizing the tax structure, and bringing spectrum prices to reasonable levels in order to increase investment in the telecom sector.

Additionally, it recommended opening infrastructure owned by different government agencies for telecom operators, introducing a single-window approval system for fiber deployment, and making infrastructure sharing mandatory.

He further said that although mobile data prices in Bangladesh are comparatively low, overall usage remains below the global average. One of the key reasons behind this is limited access to quality broadband services and the high cost of devices.

To ensure digital inclusion, he called for special initiatives to promote affordable smartphones, expand rural broadband coverage, and improve digital literacy.

The presentation also noted that Bangladesh’s digital economy currently revolves largely around social media, video content, and mobile-based services. However, to remain competitive globally, the country must increase investment in AI, cybersecurity, cloud services, advanced software development, and technology-driven manufacturing sectors.

At the same time, the experts emphasized the importance of supporting research and innovation, encouraging startup investments, and developing skilled human resources.

Shahed Alam expressed optimism that with proper policy support and coordinated planning, Bangladesh could emerge not only as a digital consumer market but also as a regional hub for digital innovation and technology investment.

DBTech/IH/EK/OR