During a discussion at the National Press Club on Sunday, industry stakeholders called on the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to address disparities in bandwidth pricing and revenue sharing, emphasizing the need for policy revisions to foster affordable, high-quality internet access. Led by President of the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association, Mohiuddin Ahmed, the event highlighted policy inconsistencies and market monopolies affecting the internet sector.
Presenting on discriminatory practices in the bandwidth market, researcher Md. Rana Islam explained that pricing inequities between government and private sectors are undermining fair competition. Colonel Rezaur Rahman, Director of BTRC’s Systems and Services Division, acknowledged the disparities and stated that BTRC is actively working to develop a more balanced approach to pricing, although adjustments may take time.
Stakeholders such as Aminul Haque, President of the Internet Infrastructure Integration Group, noted that government-backed companies often prioritize profit over fair pricing, which affects overall market health. Echoing similar sentiments, Asaduzzaman Fuad, Joint Secretary of the AB Party, encouraged the interim government to expedite reforms to address digital service inequities.
Industry experts, including Suman Ahmed Sabir and Mostafa Mohammad Hossain, urged BTRC to create a level playing field and standardize revenue sharing, suggesting that this would help reduce internet costs for consumers. They emphasized that treating internet services as a basic right rather than a commercial product is crucial for equitable access, particularly in rural areas where connectivity remains limited.
Former BASIS President Fahim Mashroor and others advocated for localized content and improved digital infrastructure, suggesting that regulatory revisions, including standardizing tariffs across ISPs and mobile operators, would strengthen the market. They further recommended investment in broadband expansion to ensure rural access and curb digital disparities.
Concluding the session, Mohiuddin Ahmed called for immediate action from BTRC to reduce market inequities, advocating that funds be allocated to expand rural broadband access rather than focusing solely on building towers in remote areas.
