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Experts at a roundtable on Bangladesh's draft telecom policy reform have underscored the urgent need to rebuild trust among stakeholders, ensure fair competition, and strike a balance between domestic and foreign investment.
The event, titled 'Telecommunication Network and Licensing Policy Reform,' was organised by the Telecom and Technology Reporters' Network Bangladesh (TRNB) at a hotel in Dhaka on Saturday.
The discussion brought together government policymakers, telecom operators, investors, and regulatory officials as the interim government finalises the Telecommunications Network and Licensing Reform Policy 2025.
The policy, spearheaded by Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and ICT, seeks to overhaul a sector plagued by over-licensing, investment inequality, and ecosystem inefficiencies.
Policy Seeks Generational Transformation
In his address, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb clarified that the proposed cap of 85 per cent on foreign ownership is not a compulsion but a suggestion meant to encourage joint ventures.
"It's not an act. I'm not forcing you to dispose of the ownership," he said. "When a company has both foreign and local ownership, it performs better."
He noted that the policy's goal is to shift from basic connectivity to service-oriented transformation, calling it a "generational shift" that will optimise services and replace a broken ecosystem.
"We are making a new policy to solve life's problems through services. It is not just connectivity but service delivery that matters now," he said.
However, Taiyeb was critical of the past, citing "the worst case of telecom abuse in global history" under the earlier ILDTS policy, which saw the issuance of over 3,400 licences -- many allegedly given in exchange for political favours and toll collection.
"A government gave out 3,000 licences during its tenure. I do not know of any such record of abuse in the world," he said.
While reiterating that no existing licences would be cancelled before expiry, he warned that future regulation would be driven by KPI-based performance rather than mere licence-holding.
Licensing Structure Overhaul
Mohammad Zulfikar, Secretary General of the Association Mobile Operators' Association of Bangladesh (AMTOB), presented the keynote speech, highlighting that 90 million people in the country remain unconnected to any digital service, despite growing social media usage.
He welcomed the move to consolidate licensing categories and make them technology-neutral, allowing operators to provide voice, data, value-added services (VAS), and over-the-top (OTT) services under a single licence. However, he expressed concern about the cap on foreign investment and its potential impact on investment inflow.
"The pace of development will be slow due to the lack of opportunities for 100 per cent foreign investment," he cautioned.
Business Leaders Call for Roadmap, Fair Play
Telecom CEOs and industry leaders urged the government to ensure long-term clarity and investment security.
Johan Buse, CEO of Banglalink, stressed the importance of seamless connectivity and inclusive internet access as the foundation of a digital economy.
"At Banglalink, our customers are at the core of every decision. That's why we've invested US$2.5 billion in Bangladesh, including US$300 million in recent years for 4G network expansion," he said.
He added, "We are working for those who remain unserved today-especially the youth and SMEs who deserve digital opportunities to grow and compete globally."
Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman and Robi's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Barrister Shahed Alam stressed the need for consumer-centric policymaking, calling for greater emphasis on network quality and service innovation.
Taimur Rahman, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer at Banglalink, remarked, "Bangladesh still needs FDI, but there should be a balance when setting caps on foreign investment."
Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, former Robi CEO and current World Bank consultant, supported the policy's direction but warned against excessive regulation.
"When foreign investors hold 75 per cent equity, they naturally have control. That's not necessarily bad. Grameenphone and Robi already have domestic shareholders," he said.
"Extending the time frame to offload shares could make room for more local participation without harming existing operations."
He also advocated for the introduction of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), and lauded the policy's provision for using SOF (Social Obligation Fund) to extend digital services. Domestic Stakeholders Urge Infrastructure Planning
Sumon Ahmed Sabir, Chief Innovation Officer at Fiber@Home, emphasised the need for infrastructure-level discipline and a cost-effective network expansion model.
"Like roads are not built everywhere without planning, telecom infrastructure too needs centralised design," he said.
Sabir opposed the issuance of additional NTTN licences and proposed integrated development to reduce duplication.
Aminul Hakim, President of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB), highlighted disparity between ISPs and mobile operators.
"ISPs supply 65 to 70 per cent of the country's 7.5-7.8 terabytes bandwidth demand, yet they pay 15 per cent tax while mobile operators pay none. Transmission charges are fixed for ISPs, but negotiable for mobile companies. We need a level playing field," he said.
He also advocated for prompt implementation of infrastructure sharing to support last-mile users.
Regulatory Perspective: From Chaos to Collaboration
BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md Emdad ul Bari acknowledged past failures and emphasised the regulator's renewed commitment to sustainable reform.
"In the past, traders used muscle power. Now, we will regulate with KPIs, not just licences," he said. The policy includes a migration plan, ensuring no sudden revocations, and aims to expand service usage beyond infotainment.
Md Zahirul Islam, Secretary (Routine Responsibilities) at the Posts and Telecommunications Department, expressed confidence that the policy, once implemented, would safeguard the telecom sector for the next 15 years and attract both domestic and foreign investors.
Crisis of Trust: A Fundamental Challenge
Across the board, speakers agreed that the foremost challenge is a breakdown in trust among stakeholders.
"Even if the government formulates the best policy, it won't work unless stakeholders compromise on vested interests and collaborate," said Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb.
Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Executive Director TIM Nurul Kabir emphasised the need for "consistency, capacity, collaboration, and coordination," and called for a national telecom roadmap to provide direction for the next five years.
"Each year, mobile operators invest around US$600 million to sustain their networks. We need clear policy guidance for this level of commitment," he said.
A Democratic Approach to Reform
Concluding his remarks, Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb said, "No policy has been formulated in such a democratic manner before. I have personally consulted all stakeholders. Those joining with new licences will be even stronger."
He assured that logical suggestions will be incorporated before the policy is finalised, as the government is racing against time but remains open to refinement.
The roundtable, part of a series of multilateral engagements ahead of policy enactment, was chaired by TRNB President Sameer Kumar Dey, while General Secretary Masuduzzaman Robin delivered the welcome speech.
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