BTRC Seeks Meta’s Local Infrastructure

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has urged Meta to expand its operations in Bangladesh, establish local infrastructure and strengthen technical capabilities to provide faster and uninterrupted services to users. Discussions focused on establishing a local Content Delivery Network (CDN)/Edge Node, introducing local payment facilities and using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and remove harmful content.

The meeting was held at the office of BTRC Chairman Major General Md Emdad Ul Bari (retd.) at the commission’s headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka on Thursday, August 13.

Yuen Ting Chay, Meta’s Director of Public Policy for South and Central Asia; Ruzan Sarwar, Head of Public Policy for Bangladesh and Nepal; and Matt Jansen, Meta’s Lead Edge Strategy for APAC, attended the meeting.

The Meta delegation emphasised further expansion of its operations in Bangladesh and stronger regular communication and coordination with the BTRC. Both sides expressed agreement on the matter.

The BTRC said a large number of internet users in Bangladesh use Meta’s various services and platforms. The commission therefore urged Meta to take necessary initiatives to expand its business in Bangladesh and establish a local office.

The BTRC also informed the Meta delegation of the need for effective measures to quickly detect and remove harmful content on social media, as well as the introduction of local payment facilities in Bangladesh.

Considering the large number of Meta platform users in Bangladesh, the BTRC also requested Meta to establish a local Content Delivery Network (CDN)/Edge Node. This, according to the commission, would help users receive improved Quality of Service (QoS), faster connectivity and uninterrupted services.

A Meta representative said several provisions of Bangladesh’s previous Personal Data Protection Ordinance had created certain administrative and legal limitations for establishing local CDN/Edge Node infrastructure. However, the new Personal Data Protection Act, 2026, approved by the current government, does not contain such barriers. Meta will therefore work more proactively and swiftly to establish the necessary local infrastructure in Bangladesh, the representative said.

The Meta representatives also briefed the BTRC chairman on Facebook’s operations in Bangladesh and various contemporary issues.

The BTRC chairman urged Facebook authorities to take more effective measures to prevent criminals from using Meta platforms for fraudulent activities, betting or gambling promotion.

He also stressed the introduction of effective technical systems using AI to automatically detect and remove such content immediately after publication.

The BTRC chairman expressed hope that Meta would continue its effective cooperation in preventing misinformation and rumours on social media.

In response, a Meta representative said some of the company’s activities had experienced temporary slowdowns due to a global workforce restructuring and reduction in personnel. The situation, however, would return to normal soon, the representative assured.

Ruzan Sarwar, Meta’s Head of Public Policy, welcomed the BTRC chairman’s views and expressed the company’s commitment to working more closely with the commission. She said Meta would review the technical and legal aspects of establishing local infrastructure and an office in Bangladesh before taking further steps.