The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) held a roundtable on Monday at its Agargaon conference center, titled “Leveraging the Power of Telecommunication for Digital Service in Bangladesh,” where industry leaders, digital service providers, bankers, and operators discussed the path forward for affordable and sustainable digital services in Bangladesh.
Discussions centered on ensuring affordable, quality telecom services, creating timely policies, ensuring seamless internet access, enhancing telecom infrastructure in remote areas, for Escalating boosting smartphone penetration, reforming telecom laws, and promoting digital literacy and diverse digital services.
ICT Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury emphasized the need for robust digital public infrastructure, data security, and reducing disparities. Citing global examples, he stated that Bangladesh seeks to enhance data accessibility like Estonia and Turkey. Chowdhury also mentioned the price disparity between locally manufactured phones and imported models, which affects affordability.
BTRC Chairman Emdadul Haque highlighted the demand for a coordinated effort to bring down data costs and make the internet widely accessible, proposing the expansion of data centers and advanced fintech solutions. He also urged a unified data rate across urban and rural areas and emphasized a “proactive regulatory approach.”
Several industry experts, including telecom specialist Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, BRAC Bank’s Deputy Managing Director Sabbir Hossain, and PATHAO CEO Fahim Ahmed, contributed insights, stressing the need for secure, affordable data and a streamlined ecosystem for digital services. They discussed enhancing financial inclusion, improving internet education, and supporting local content.
Representatives from organizations like Daraz, Sheba XYZ, Shikho, and Prava Health highlighted challenges such as inconsistent internet access and the need for policy reform to support emerging digital businesses and healthcare services.
With this collaborative initiative, BTRC hopes to create a more inclusive and efficient digital environment in Bangladesh that promotes innovation and supports economic growth.