Taiyeb Defends Telecom Policy, Dismisses Operator Favoritism Claims
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the interim government, has described allegations that the Telecom Network and Licensing Policy-2025 was drafted in favor of mobile operators as “false” and “propaganda.” Rejecting the claims in a formal response, he stated unequivocally that formulating policy is a fundamental responsibility of any government and that an elected government retains the authority to review, amend, or repeal any policy if deemed necessary.
However, he argued that the multiple additional licensing layers known as “gateways,” introduced into Bangladesh’s telecom licensing regime during the post-1/11 period and under the Awami League government, are no longer common practice in many countries around the world. He further alleged that these licensing arrangements enabled a limited group to benefit from “rent-seeking” practices or toll-collection mechanisms.
Providing clarification on the new policy, he said that, following recommendations from experts of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the current framework has reduced licensing layers and established a more business-friendly structure. The previous licensing system, which consisted of approximately 26 layers, has been streamlined into a “3+1” framework, comprising three legacy telecom layers and one satellite layer.
According to the policy, mobile operators will be required to increase tower fiberization from the current 20–22 percent to 75 percent. It also introduces strict Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for uplink and downlink services, alongside a mandatory requirement that operators maintain at least 15 percent local ownership.
He noted that fulfilling these requirements will necessitate substantial investment, thereby creating additional obligations for mobile operators. According to him, the policy seeks to safeguard long-term national interests rather than provide advantages to telecom companies.
The former telecommunications affairs special assistant further stated that the formulation of the telecom policy was unanimously endorsed by the Chairman and Commissioners of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). Multiple rounds of stakeholder consultations were conducted, and both the draft policy and its revised versions were published online on two separate occasions.
He added that after the policy was presented before the Advisory Council, a special review committee comprising four advisers was formed under the leadership of economist Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud. Various amendments were subsequently incorporated into the policy in line with the committee’s recommendations.
To accommodate the interests of existing license holders, the policy includes two special provisions. These are a grace period extending until June 2027 and an opportunity for deregulated entities to transition into the new licensing framework.
Despite these provisions, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb alleged that a group of “toll-collecting mafia businesses” that stand to lose from the reform initiative are deliberately spreading misinformation to undermine the government's efforts to reform the telecommunications sector.
//DBTech/SI/MUM/OR//
