Internet cost drops in key infrastructure layers

Bangladesh is moving steadily towards a more inclusive digital landscape, with internet costs falling across key infrastructure layers, according to Faiz Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser.

In a verified post on his official Facebook page on Monday, Taiyeb outlined the government's ongoing, coordinated efforts to bring down internet prices in a way that benefits users across the country.

He noted that leading infrastructure provider Fiber@Home has already reduced prices at three crucial levels: international terrestrial cable and international internet gateway services have both seen a 10 per cent reduction, while national transmission network charges have been cut by 15 per cent.

"These developments represent a united national effort to make digital connectivity more accessible and affordable," said Taiyeb.

This follows recent commitments from the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB), which pledged to offer 10 Mbps connections at just Tk 500 - twice the speed for the same price previously available.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) also contributed to the drive by cutting international bandwidth charges by 10 per cent for all international internet gateways and internet service providers. Wholesale customers received an even greater benefit, with a combined reduction of 20 per cent.

These measures mean internet prices have now been lowered across almost all segments of the country's service delivery chain - from international links to local distribution networks. However, mobile internet remains the one major area yet to be addressed.

Taiyeb acknowledged that while state-run Teletalk has already introduced a 10 per cent discount on mobile internet services from Eid-ul-Fitr, the three private mobile network operators have not made any similar announcements.

He emphasised that the government has extended substantial support to mobile operators, including access to dark fibre and dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) facilities -- tools that significantly cut operating costs.

Given the scale of this support and the upstream price cuts already in effect, he argued there is now no justifiable reason for mobile operators to delay reducing prices for consumers.

Taiyeb called on these operators to withdraw the price increase imposed in March, which was linked to a now-reversed statutory regulatory order, and to introduce proportionate reductions in retail prices in line with the cuts made at the ITC, IIG and NTTN levels.

He also noted that lowering mobile internet prices would offer timely relief to consumers struggling with inflation, and reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving both the affordability and quality of internet access. "The time has come for private mobile operators to join this national initiative and stand with the people," Taiyeb said.

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