Broadband internet prices in Bangladesh may rise by around 20% if the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s (BTRC) proposed Internet Service Guideline takes effect, warned the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka, ISPAB leaders said the draft guidelines would impose new financial obligations on both international and national internet layers, raising procurement costs for broadband service providers by about 14%.
Under the draft, broadband operators will have to share 5.5% of their revenue with the government, whereas there was no such obligation before. They will also be required to contribute another 1% to BTRC’s Social Obligation Fund.
The proposed policy further suggests a fivefold increase in licence acquisition and annual fees for ISPs.
Each of the increased costs will involve a 15% value-added tax.
ISPAB leaders said these added costs would inevitably be passed on to consumers, making broadband less affordable and slowing the country’s digital growth.
They urged BTRC to review the draft in the interest of users and local entrepreneurs.
“This price hike will negatively affect education, healthcare, business, banking, freelancing and almost every digital sector,” said ISPAB President Aminul Hakim.
The proposed guideline also seeks to allow mobile operators to provide internet through Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and last-mile fibre connections.
ISPAB warned that such permission would allow major telecom companies to directly enter the fixed broadband market, creating “unfair competition” for small and medium ISPs.
Over a thousand local internet entrepreneurs have invested heavily in infrastructure across the country. They fear that if large mobile operators join the same market, smaller players will not survive, leading to reduced investment and job losses.
“Permission to offer Fixed Wireless Access should remain limited to fixed telecom service providers,” said ISPAB Secretary General Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan.
He added that mobile operators should not be allowed to install fibre connections to homes and offices, as it would undermine the fixed broadband sector.
The association also called for banning the commercial use of Wi-Fi or ISM bands and urged clearer rules on infrastructure sharing and network access.
ISPAB further pointed out that the draft lacks specific guidance on SMS and mobile dialer operations for Internet Protocol Telephony Service Providers (IPTSPs), which it said must be addressed immediately.
“Internet is now an essential part of daily life,” said the ISPAB president. “Any policy reform must prioritise public interest and ensure affordable, reliable access for all.”
In a written statement, Aminul Hakim urged political parties to act responsibly, saying, “A people’s government must protect people’s interests.”
The association called on BTRC to review the draft and adopt a balanced, affordable and user-friendly policy that supports local entrepreneurs and keeps broadband services within reach of ordinary users.
