Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission-BTRC has released the revised guidelines amending the clauses on ‘Rollout Obligation’, provision of service information and Quality of Service (QoS). The revised clauses of the ISP Guidelines issued in 2020 after the approval of the Posts and Telecommunications Division have been published on the organization’s website.
According to the published amendment, Section 22.7 of the guidelines states that the licensee shall submit the information system (upstream-downstream, bandwidth usage and customer information) from time to time to the DIS or the Commission. If the service is not received, the customer can file a complaint with the concerned ISP. ISP will resolve this complaint promptly to ensure quality service.
And if the quality of service is not ensured according to the regulations, directives, orders or guidelines, BTRC can cancel the license of the institution. Previously, it was said in this section that the licensee shall ensure the quality of service according to the regulations, instructions, orders or guidelines made by BTRC. And if the quality of service is not ensured according to the regulations, instructions, orders or guidelines, BTRC can cancel the license.
Besides, the new amendment in section 23 of the guidelines states that, if the licensee fails to commence operational activities within one year from the date of license, the license shall be automatically terminated without any prior notice. Earlier in this clause, the ISP licensee shall undertake a rollout obligation. Where the licensee will cover 25 percent of the area in the first year as per the license category after getting the license. 50 percent coverage in the second year, 75 percent coverage in the third year and 100 percent coverage in the fourth year. The licensee must ensure quality of service, roll-out within the specified time frame and 10 percent of the total number of subscribers must be from the local population. Failure to commence operations within one year and implement rollout obligations will result in cancellation of the license.
On the other hand, the amendment in clause 11 of the guidelines states that the status of the license is due to the inability to start operational activities. If the licensee fails to commence operational activities within one year from the date of grant of licence, the license shall be automatically terminated without any prior notice. Earlier in this clause, Rollout Obligation. The licensee shall comply with the rollout obligations mentioned in Clause 23 of the Guidelines. And if the rollout obligation is not met, the commission can cancel the license.