Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh- ISPAB has taken the views of all members to amend the constitution as per revised ISP guidelines set by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission BTRC. In the new law, the license of the ISP organizations has been reorganized and the license of the category license has been removed and brought to the Upazila/district/divisional/nationwide format.
The discussion meeting was held on Tuesday at RAWA Convention Center in the capital from 11 am to 3 pm. In this, 30 ISP traders, including general, associate and COAB members, presented their views.
In open discussion, as per the new guidelines, category licensee members are claiming to be general members from associate as they are converted to Upazila category. There is also a proposal to bring zonal license holders under the division. Then the question arises as to who will be in the district category. All in all, there were differences of opinion on several issues in the meeting.
As several conflicting proposals and opinions came in the meeting, now they will be accepted and rejected in the democratic process by scrutinizing them, said Imdadul Haque, the president of the meeting. He said, since the issues are related to the Memorandum of Article and the constitution of the organization, we have held this special meeting to take the views of all parties. Now their views will be scrutinized and finalized after discussing with legal vetting, DTO and BTRC if necessary. After that, the whole matter will be passed by EGM.
According to the sources of the meeting, apart from the existing internet service providers, hardware or software suppliers, IIG/NTTN companies are demanded to be included as associate members of ISPAB. Also reducing the annual ‘ordinary member’ fee of members of all classes or layers, ensuring representation from each layer, one-member-one-vote, abolishing the policy of setting up POPs through BTRC without prior approval and photocopies of appointment, license and VAT-tax of appointed POP representatives. The obligation to pull on the wall is demanded.
ISPAB Secretary General Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan moderated the discussion meeting, besides listening to everyone’s opinion, the members of the executive committee also expressed their opinion. The vice president of the organization, Anwarul Azim, was present at the time. Abdul Qayyum Rashed; Joint Secretary General Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Treasurer Md. Asaduzzaman and Director Md. Zakir Hossain, Mahbub Alam, Sakif Ahmed, AM Kamaluddin Ahmed Salim, Fuad Muhammad Sharfuddin and Md. Nasiruddin were present in the meeting.
In this open discussion, LB New General Secretary Suman along with CCOAB president SM Zulfiqar Haidarand and General Secretary Anwar Mithu with 10 other members; 5 members representative of Internet Association including Mr. Selim; Md. Turzo and his 3 associates members; Jibon Rana, organizing secretary of IT Polli family and 7 others; Khulna Regional Committee member Jobair, Chittagong Regional Committee member Mr. Romens; Mymensingh Regional Committee Member Md. Tauhid and others gave their remarks.
ISPAB president Imdadul Haque highlighted the various activities after taking charge of this tenure at the event. At this time, General Secretary Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan hinted that ISPAB will soon go to its own address. In addition, to keep the organization member-friendly, preparations are underway to organize an annual banquet and sports competition in the middle of December, this leader said. Attempts are being made to get a separate place for the office, at that time money may be asked for the office from all the members. I believe that everyone will come forward at this time to strengthen the organization, He further added.
