ISPB Seeks Safeguards for Internet Infrastructure
The Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) has placed a six-point demand before the government, urging stronger protection for the country's information technology infrastructure and uninterrupted internet services for end users. The organization called for exemplary punishment against those involved in network takeovers, attacks, and extortion, describing internet and ICT infrastructure as critical national assets.
The demands were presented by ISPAB President Mohammad Aminul Hakim at a press conference held at the association's office in Banani, Dhaka, on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
He said that on the night of June 9, attacks were carried out on the headquarters of Dot Internet in Lalmatia, Mohammadpur, as well as on several internet service providers in Badda, Chandpur Sadar, Debidwar in Cumilla, Gazipur, and Bogura. Similar incidents had previously occurred in Gazipur, Bogura, Matlab in Chandpur, Subarnachar, Sylhet, and Debidwar, he added.
According to Aminul Hakim, these attacks were not directed solely at individual companies but constituted direct assaults on the country's digital infrastructure and digital economy.
He noted that, on average, 10 to 12 attacks on internet service providers occur every month. Each ISP office is connected to a fixed broadband network, with a Point of Presence (PoP) serving an area spanning two to three kilometers. If a network is seized or infrastructure is damaged, an entrepreneur may suffer financial losses of approximately Tk 2.5 million. He also alleged that some operators are compelled to pay extortion money to continue their businesses.
He called on law enforcement agencies to ensure that the affected company in Mohammadpur can continue operations safely and to take effective measures to prevent future network takeovers.
Addressing the proposed national budget, Aminul Hakim said the internet sector had received no significant incentives in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026–27. The existing 5 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on internet services has been retained, while import duties on fiber-optic cables, routers, and related networking equipment have not been withdrawn.
The press conference was moderated by ISPAB Secretary General Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan, who said internet connectivity has become an essential service in citizens' daily lives. He noted that the ISP sector plays a crucial role in delivering uninterrupted connectivity to millions of customers across the country.
However, incidents of attacks and network takeovers are creating serious concerns regarding sectoral security, the investment environment, and service continuity, he added.
Among those present at the press conference were ISPAB Vice-President Neyamul Haque Khan, Joint Secretary General Mahbub Alam Raju, Joint Secretary General Fuad Mohammad Sharafuddin, Treasurer Moin Uddin Ahmed, and Directors Rashedur Rahman Rajan, Md. Mithu Hawlader, Sabbir Ahmed, Raisul Islam Tuhin, Md. Zubayer Islam, and S. M. Saiful Islam Selim.
