Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has warned two Chattogram shopping complexes over different forms of control on internet access.
At Meridian Kohinoor City, the market authority was accused of requiring licensed internet service providers (ISPs) to use its network infrastructure and charging them a one-off Tk1 lakh fee plus 35 per cent of monthly internet revenue.
At Bali Arcade, the market authority was accused of taking connectivity from a single ISP, redistributing it to shops and businesses as a utility service and collecting internet bills directly from customers.
BTRC said customers at both properties must be free to choose any licensed ISP and receive service at approved tariffs without additional charges or unreasonable barriers.
The decision came at a meeting at BTRC headquarters in Dhaka on Monday following a complaint from Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB), the trade body said in a press release on Tuesday.
The regulator warned Meridian Kohinoor City against imposing access barriers on ISPs and said Bali Arcade could not restrict customers to a connectivity arrangement controlled by the market authority.
BTRC also asked ISPAB to help the two market authorities maintain orderly fibre-cable infrastructure.
The commission warned that any ISP helping create or maintain exclusive or dual-control arrangements in buildings, shopping centres, commercial complexes, residential areas or housing projects could face action under existing laws, licence conditions and BTRC directives.
ISPAB President Aminul Hakim said the association would work with BTRC and other stakeholders to protect customer choice, competition and equal access for licensed operators.
ISPAB General Secretary Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan said the association expected the two market authorities to comply with BTRC’s directives.
