Need for Strong Fiber Infrastructure and Smart Policies Highlighted at TRNB Workshop

Aug 19, 2026 14:54

Industry experts and tech leaders emphasized the expansion of fiber cabling, data centers, and cloud services to deliver affordable, high-speed internet across Bangladesh. Speaking at a day-long workshop titled "Fixed Broadband: Future of Bangladesh" organized by the Telecom Reporters Network Bangladesh (TRNB) at Chuti Resort in Gazipur on August 17, speakers stressed that investment-friendly policies rather than rigid regulations are key to building the digital economy.

The sessions were conducted by Fiber@Home Managing Director Moynul Haq Siddiqui, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Sumon Ahmed Sabir, and former Microsoft professional Md. Zaman. Around 30 ICT and telecom journalists from Dhaka participated in the event.

Fiber@Home MD Moynul Haq Siddiqui praised the government's recent steps to update the two-decade-old ILDTS Policy of 2006. However, he urged policymakers to consider market realities, stakeholder feedback, and global trends. He advocated for a unified policy combining both IT and Telecom sectors to accelerate national digital transformation.

Expressing concern over infrastructure security, Siddiqui noted that while fiber optic networks last 15–20 years, unplanned execution and repetitive network installation in the same areas put both small and large investments at risk. He called on regulators to set clear rules for infrastructure sharing and investment protection. Furthermore, while welcoming Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), he argued that lucrative segments of the telecom sector should not be reserved solely for foreign entities, urging equal opportunities for local entrepreneurs who have invested heavily in building domestic capability.

Addressing the economic constraints of Bangladesh's broadband industry, Siddiqui highlighted that average revenue per user (ARPU) in Bangladesh is only $5 to $10 per month, compared to $30–$50 in developed nations. Delivering speeds of 100 Mbps to every household under these revenue constraints presents a major financial challenge. He also dispelled the myth that exporting bandwidth reduces domestic internet speed, reassuring that Bangladesh has sufficient capacity through submarine cables and ITCs.

Joining the discussion, IT entrepreneur Mainul Islam called for a clear, time-bound roadmap in the national policy. "The policy must clearly specify how many millions of households will receive fixed broadband connections within the next 5, 10, or 20 years," he said, pointing out that separating IT from telecommunications hinders progress and investment growth.

In the technology session, Suman Sabir, commenting on Bangladesh's ample bandwidth capacity through international submarine cables and ITC, stated that the notion of internet slowing down in Bangladesh when bandwidth is exported to other countries lacks factual basis. He emphasized the need for proper utilization of the country's existing and expanded capabilities and improved network management. He added that fiber optic connectivity to every tower is essential to fully leverage 5G benefits. He also advised against ten separate lines by ten ISPs in the same area, suggesting a 'common or shared optical fiber network' instead.

Referencing the global context, Md. Zaman mentioned that just as the US banned Huawei during COVID, China also blocked Google for 25 years. He urged learning from global history to create an investment-friendly environment for cyber and cloud technology within Bangladesh. Drawing a parallel from Bangladesh's history since Plassey, he advised prioritizing human resources over mere population and adopting strategic steps to safeguard technological sovereignty.

Earlier, TRINB President S M Masuduzzaman Robin and General Secretary Faruk Hossain pledged to regularly organize workshops for the skill development of telecom and ICT sector journalists and to continue policy dialogues.
//DBTech/NAP/MIS//