Telecom policies are “critical” and will be reviewed by an elected government, said BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday.
His remarks came as a counter to Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb’s statement earlier in the day that the telecom sector will not return to its old licence regime, as the government is moving away from what it considers an outdated and distortion-ridden framework that slowed the industry’s growth for years.
The Telecommunication Network and Licensing Policy 2025, published in the government gazette, also enables a review of more than 3,000 licences issued across different periods, including those approved under a politically influenced system that harmed the economy, according to a press release from Taiyeb’s ministry.
Khasru described the telecom policy as critical and said it must be formulated in consultation with stakeholders.
He was speaking at a roundtable titled “Challenges in Shaping Tomorrow’s Bangladesh: The Future of Domestic Entrepreneurs in the Telecommunications and ICT Sector,” organised by the Telecom and Technology Reporters Network Bangladesh at a city hotel.
Licences issued over the past 15 years have undermined the independence of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, and major changes are needed to protect domestic entrepreneurs and ensure digital security, said the former commerce minister.
“When the sector generates such high profits, why should local investors be unable to participate? These considerations must guide policymaking,” he said.
Safeguarding the telecom sector is the responsibility of an elected government, he added.
“The policies introduced by the unelected government will be reviewed, including those relating to telecom,” he said.
He said domestic and foreign entrepreneurs must not face discrimination in spectrum and broadband development under any new policy designed to ensure the best, fastest and most secure network.
BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Zahir Uddin Swapon said digital sovereignty must be prioritised while drafting telecom policies.
“We must ensure digital security, and no policy can exist without accountability,” he said.
Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki said new policies are essential to address future challenges.
“Foreign companies operate with little accountability, while our international internet gateways and internet service providers are domestic entities,” he said.
“Yet the policy framework appears to favour foreign operators and push domestic companies out,” he added.
He also warned that handing over ports to foreign entities sends a dangerous signal and that policies threatening the employment of five to seven lakh workers cannot be accepted.
Media personality Abdun Noor Tushar said discriminatory policymaking would lead the sector towards foreign domination.
“Foreign investors will come and operate, but opportunities for domestic businesses must be preserved, and our entrepreneurs must remain independent,” he said.
Fiber@Home Chairman Moynul Haque Siddiqui said non-terrestrial network operators have performed effectively outside Dhaka.
“You will see it when you visit those areas and observe the internet speed,” he said.
“Yet the telecom policy does not protect domestic entrepreneurs, and employment concerns are rising,” he added.
Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh President Mohammad Aminul Hakim said ISPs serve customers from villages to major cities.
“There are around 2,500 entrepreneurs in this sector with investments of Tk 4,500 to 5,000 crore,” he said.
“A major political party held a press conference opposing the policy, and we had hoped the government would withdraw it, but that did not happen,” he said.
“If you (BNP) form the next government, we hope you will reconsider policies that put people at risk,” he added.
Suman Ahmed Sabir of Fiber@Home presented the keynote paper.
Additional remarks came from Association of Internet of Bangladesh member Brigadier General (Retd) Mostafizur Rahman, BAHON Limited’s Rashed Amin Bidyut, journalists Masud Kamal and Shahed Alam, and telecommunications policy analyst Abu Nazam M Tanvir Hossain.
TRNB President Samir Kumar Dey and General Secretary Masduzzaman Robin also addressed the event.
