16 decisions taken in BTRC's 312th Commission Meeting

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has approved a series of measures covering spectrum renewal pricing, an artificial intelligence-based customer service trial and greater accountability for internet service providers. Key decisions include setting 15-year base prices for 79.2 MHz of spectrum held by three mobile operators whose current terms are due to expire, granting Robi a six-month trial approval for an AI voicebot, and imposing fines on 116 internet service providers (ISPs) for failing to submit information to the regulator’s Data Information System (DIS). The commission also decided to restrict bandwidth for several companies over outstanding payments and approved measures involving licensing, spectrum management and administrative matters.

The decisions were taken at BTRC’s 312th commission meeting on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. The meeting was chaired by Commission Chairman Major General Md. Emdad Ul Bari, OSP, ndc, psc, TE (Retd.). Vice-Chairman Md. Abu Bakar Siddique and commissioners Mahmud Hossain, Brigadier General Iqbal Ahmed and Abdur Rahman Sardar were also present.

According to the minutes, the commission approved 16 decisions covering spectrum management, customer service, SIM registration, telecommunications licensing, revenue collection, audits and administrative matters concerning employees.

Spectrum base prices set for three operators

After reviewing recommendations from BTRC’s 110th Spectrum Management Committee (SMC) meeting, the commission set base prices for spectrum held by three mobile operators that is due to expire.

Grameenphone holds 32.4 MHz, Robi 22.4 MHz and Banglalink 24.4 MHz, bringing the total to 79.2 MHz. Their current spectrum terms are scheduled to expire on 10 November 2026.

Based on recommendations from the consultancy and research committee, the 15-year base price for each MHz was set as follows:

• 900 MHz band: Tk 237 crore.
• 1800 MHz band: Tk 198 crore.
• 2100 MHz band: Tk 172 crore.

As the operators’ existing licences remain valid until 10 March 2039, the final price will be calculated on a pro-rata basis for the remaining 12 years and four months. The commission decided to send a proposal to the Posts and Telecommunications Division for approval, allowing the determined amount to be paid in eight equal instalments.

AMTOB, described in the meeting report as a global organisation representing mobile operators, welcomed the price reduction but claimed that spectrum prices in Bangladesh remain twice the global average. It has asked BTRC to reduce renewal fees further and withdraw annual spectrum charges altogether. The proposal is awaiting final government approval.

Other spectrum allocations, renewals and cancellations

The commission also approved or reviewed applications from government agencies, private companies and broadcasters under its spectrum management responsibilities.

• SPARRSO: Allocation of 407.0750 MHz in the UHF band was approved for internal communications and security.

• Sembcorp North-West Power Company: A paired allocation at 416.0500/426.0500 MHz for internal communications at its power plant in Sirajganj was approved subject to security clearance.

• Islam Knit Design Ltd.: A paired allocation at 417.3250/427.3250 MHz in the UHF band was approved for communications between the company’s two factories in Gazipur.

• Minerva Media Ltd. (Live TV): The temporary authorisation to use 6 MHz of spectrum and equipment for satellite broadcasting was extended until 23 August 2027.

• MGH Media Ltd. (Wada TV): Allocation of 6 MHz for a satellite-based news channel was approved subject to security clearance.

• Amateur Radio Society Bangladesh (ARSB): The commission decided to review documents establishing the organisation’s government approval or relevant affiliation before approving the import of repeaters for emergency communications during disasters.

• Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant: Retrospective approval was granted for the temporary allocation of four pairs of UHF frequencies for Bangladesh Police emergency communications during the safe road transport of nuclear fuel from the Russian Federation.

• 36 Media Ltd. (TV Next): Retrospective approval was granted to extend the temporary authorisation for broadcasting equipment until 23 June 2027.

• Chittagong Online Ltd.: At the company’s request, the commission approved cancellation, effective 1 January 2027, of its 20 MHz allocation in the 5 GHz band.

• NEPC Consortium Power Ltd.: Following the closure of its operations, the commission approved cancellation of its UHF allocation and the sealing of its radio equipment.

• In-flight internet services: No-objection approval was granted to Viasat to provide in-flight connectivity (IFC) services to foreign aircraft in Bangladesh’s airspace using the Ka-band. The arrangement includes 19 conditions and an annual revenue payment of US$2,000.

Robi receives six-month approval for AI voicebot trial

BTRC has granted Robi Axiata Ltd. a six-month trial approval to operate the artificial intelligence-based “Verbex Voicebot” through Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

The approval includes conditions designed to protect customer information. Personally identifiable information (PII) and complete call detail records (CDRs) must not be transferred outside Bangladesh. Pseudonymisation is mandatory to protect the identity of individuals in the data.

Use of the AI-based service must remain entirely optional for customers. Customers must also be able to switch from the AI system to a human customer service representative at any time. Robi Axiata said it had made the necessary preparations to introduce AI-based voicebots in its customer service operations.

SIM registration and ownership transfers in special circumstances

The commission was informed about authorised SIM issuance and ownership transfers in exceptional circumstances, including when customers are abroad, fingerprints are unclear, or ownership must be transferred to a legal heir following a customer’s death.

A total of 22 cases involving SIM issuance or ownership transfers during the July–September 2026 quarter were presented at the meeting.

Higher transaction limits for Direct Operator Billing

The commission approved higher transaction limits for Direct Operator Billing (DOB) services offered by Robi Axiata PLC and Banglalink Digital Communications.

Under the revised limits, a customer may transact up to Tk 5,000 per month and Tk 50,000 per year. The commission granted retrospective approval for the arrangement, which took effect on 20 July 2026 for a six-month period.

SMS tariff for SSC and HSC results

BTRC approved a tariff for push-pull SMS services delivered through short code 16140 to provide the results of the 2026 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations under the Dhaka Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education.

Retrospective approval was granted for a charge of Tk 1 per successfully delivered SMS, excluding VAT and taxes.

Stargate Communications share transfer

The commission decided to send a proposal to the Posts and Telecommunications Division for prior government approval to transfer 100% of nationwide ISP Stargate Communications Ltd.’s shares to new shareholders.

Final approval will be granted after government clearance and collection of the prescribed 5.5% transfer fee and VAT.

116 ISPs fined over missing DIS submissions

BTRC imposed fines on 116 ISPs for violating licence conditions by failing to submit information to its Data Information System (DIS). Penalties vary according to each company’s registration status, response to the regulator and submission of the required information.

• 28 providers that responded and submitted information: Division-level providers were fined Tk 20,000, district-level providers Tk 10,000, and upazila- or thana-level providers Tk 2,500 each.

• 16 providers that responded but did not submit information: Division-level providers were fined Tk 40,000 and upazila- or thana-level providers Tk 5,000. Zerotech Online surrendered its licence, which was declared cancelled.

• Two providers that did not respond but submitted information: Each was fined Tk 3,750.

• 19 providers that neither responded nor submitted information: Fines were set at Tk 50,000 for division-level providers, Tk 25,000 for district-level providers and Tk 6,250 for upazila- or thana-level providers.

• 37 providers that were unregistered in DIS and did not respond: Fines were set at Tk 70,000 at division level, Tk 35,000 at district level and Tk 8,750 at upazila or thana level. They were instructed to register within 30 days.

• 14 unregistered providers that responded: Asia Intel, a nationwide provider, was fined Tk 150,000. District-level providers were fined Tk 30,000 and upazila- or thana-level providers Tk 7,500. Failure to register within 30 days will result in licence cancellation.

IPTSP renewal fees and bank guarantees

The commission decided to seek prior government approval for a proposal requiring Internet Protocol Telephony Service Provider (IPTSP) licensees to pay renewal fees and provide bank guarantees equivalent to their licence acquisition fees.

The proposed structure is:

• Nationwide: Tk 1 million renewal fee and Tk 1 million bank guarantee.

• Divisional—Dhaka and Chattogram: Tk 800,000 renewal fee and Tk 800,000 bank guarantee.

• Other divisional areas: Tk 500,000 renewal fee and Tk 500,000 bank guarantee.

An exemption from the bank guarantee requirement would be available if a provider pays the annual fees for the entire licence term in advance.

Infogilion fined over MNP payment delays

Infogilion Teletech BD Ltd., a mobile number portability (MNP) service provider, was fined Tk 100,000 for repeatedly failing to pay outstanding dues within the prescribed deadlines.

The commission also decided to take legal action to recover Tk 50,167,818 in unpaid dues.

Outstanding payments and bandwidth restrictions

TeleBangla Communications: The company was allowed to pay all outstanding dues in four instalments, with a 15% late fee. The payment schedule runs from November 2026 through February 2027.

Bandwidth restrictions: BTRC decided to restrict IPTSP service by 50% for ICC Communication, Idea Tech, Amra Networks and Sarkar Communication because they had failed to pay outstanding dues on time. However, ICC Communication, Idea Tech and Sarkar Communication were confirmed to have paid their dues after the commission meeting.

Providers that have not started operations: The commission directed the relevant authorities to take necessary action regarding the licences of five IPTSP providers—Antarang, Business Network, Skyview, Dot Internet and Global Voice.

Information systems audit

The commission was briefed on BTRC’s ongoing information systems (IS) audit. It directed that the process of appointing an audit firm to complete the audit of state-owned Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd. (BTCL) be expedited.

Outstanding dues for undisclosed bandwidth

Earth Telecommunication was allowed to pay Tk 7.126 million, and CyberGate Tk 3.319 million, in five instalments, including a 15% late fee, to settle outstanding payments related to undisclosed bandwidth.

Peerex Networks was given an additional month to pay its dues. The licensing division was instructed to send a payment reminder to BTCL and take action against 11 other defaulting companies.

Higher grades for 38 BTRC officials

Under Article 6(1) of the Service (Pay and Allowances) Order, 2026, the commission decided to award higher grades to 38 officials across BTRC departments after they completed eight satisfactory years in the same position.

The officials will be upgraded to the fourth, fifth, eighth and ninth grades. The decision also provides for financial benefits, including arrears.

Decision on a departmental appeal

The commission reviewed the departmental appeal of driver Md. Faruk Hossain following damage to the antenna of a specialised spectrum-monitoring vehicle.

After reconsideration, the penalty suspending one year’s increment was upheld. However, the punishment reducing his basic salary by three steps was lowered to a reduction of one step.

Fine against Fiber@Home upheld

BTRC upheld a previously imposed administrative fine of Tk 500,000 against Fiber@Home Ltd., a nationwide telecommunications transmission network (NTTN) operator, for launching the “Cyclone Project” without authorisation.

The company was ordered to pay the fine within 10 working days.

Spectrum pricing, data protection and regulatory accountability

The decisions made at BTRC’s 312th commission meeting reflect an effort to strengthen long-term spectrum management, customer service and financial and administrative discipline in Bangladesh’s telecommunications sector.

The base prices set for 79.2 MHz of spectrum are significant for future network expansion and 4G and 5G planning. However, the final renewal amounts will depend on the pro-rata calculation and government approval.

The conditions attached to Robi’s AI-based customer service trial—including restrictions on transferring PII and complete call records abroad, mandatory pseudonymisation and access to human representatives—underscore the importance of protecting customer data.

Meanwhile, fines against ISPs that failed to submit DIS information, bandwidth restrictions for companies with overdue payments and administrative action over licence violations signal a stronger regulatory focus on compliance and accountability.

//DBTech/IH/SMP/MIST//