Intermediary entities add little to no value

The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) has said that multiple intermediary entities in the telecom sector add little to no value to the core objective of seamless connectivity and have instead inflated costs and stifled innovation.

The entities include international gateways (IGWs), international internet gateways (IIGs), interconnection exchanges (ICXs), and Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Networks (NTTNs).

In a press release issued on Tuesday in response to the recent commentary on the Draft Telecommunications Network and Licensing Regime Reform Policy 2025, AMTOB said, "The international long distance telecommunication services (ILDTS) fragmented the sector and inserted multiple intermediary entities (IGWs, IIGs, ICXs, NTTNs, etc.), most of whom add little to no value to the core objective of seamless connectivity. Instead, they have inflated costs and stifled innovation."

The response follows the expression of concern by several IGW, ICX, and NTTN operators over the implications of the draft policy, which was recently published for stakeholder feedback.

Clarifying its position, AMTOB said, "Contrary to the implication that the reform benefits foreign entities or mobile operators, we categorically state that the current draft reform policy does not provide any advantage to either."

"In fact, it continues to curtail the operational scope of mobile operators, who are at the frontline of delivering telecom and digital services to consumers across the country."

The association pointed to the longstanding regulatory and infrastructural constraints rooted in the ILDTS Policy 2007 as a source of systemic inefficiencies.

It said this restricted business framework "makes it increasingly difficult for us to guarantee a consistent quality of service."

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