The Chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdad Ul Bari, has called upon Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to adopt a collaborative business model prioritizing service over profit.
Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the three-day Chattogram ICT Fair 2025 on Wednesday (January 15) at the GEC Convention Center in Chattogram, Bari said, “This is the time for reform and action. I don’t hear the tone of reform in ISPAB members’ voices. We must deliver services leveraging technology, but when ISPs speak, they only sound like businesspeople, prioritizing their own interests. We need to move toward a collaborative model. If we work together, two plus two will equal five, not three. Our priority must be on service because business will thrive if we can deliver good service.”
Emphasizing the role of ISPs in building a digital ecosystem, he further stated, “The world has advanced significantly, and 98-99% of people in our country are now within the reach of communication. Technology possesses latent power, and understanding it requires knowledge. Technology will find its own path, and it cannot be stopped. ISPs should not see themselves as mere business entities but as service providers.”
Special Guest’s Vision for a Tech-Friendly Chattogram
Ashraful Amin, Secretary of the Chattogram City Corporation, expressed the commitment to make Chattogram a technology-friendly city. “We aim to build a city that embraces technology. The Chattogram City Corporation is committed to doing whatever is necessary to achieve this goal, and we will support ISPs to the best of our ability,” he stated.
Challenges Raised by ISPAB Leaders
In his welcome address, Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan, General Secretary of ISPAB, emphasized the need to advance Bangladesh in the field of information technology. He urged the government to engage true IT professionals, resolve licensing issues, and reconsider recent hikes in VAT and tariffs, stating, “We still face challenges in obtaining licenses. Additionally, VAT and tariff rates have been raised without consulting us.” Bhuiyan appealed to the interim government to withdraw these financial burdens, pointing out that ISPs are entirely locally driven initiatives.
ISPAB President Emdadul Haque expressed concerns over the sector’s current challenges, saying, “The state of ISPs is now at its lowest point. We are in a situation where it’s hard to represent ourselves proudly. Without addressing issues like illegal ISPs, discipline in the sector will not be restored.”
The event was presided over by Rajib Shahriar Rubens, Convener of ISPAB Chattogram and Secretary of the Chattogram ICT Fair 2025. Other notable speakers included Sharif Uddin, Additional Commissioner (Education & ICT) of Chattogram District Administration; Nazim Uddin, Vice-Chancellor of East Delta University; and Anwarul Azim, Vice President of ISPAB and Convener of the ICT Fair.
The Chattogram ICT Fair 2025 aims to foster technological advancements and create awareness among stakeholders about the pivotal role of ISPs in building a digital Bangladesh.
