The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is working to reduce the prices of internet data packages to make digital services more accessible.
BTRC Chairman, Major General (Retd) Emdad Ul Bari, said this during a roundtable discussion titled "Importance of Telecommunication Network in Facing the Challenges of the Future" on Monday, reports UNB.
Telecom and Technology Reporters Network (TRNB), Bangladesh organized the programme.
The BTRC chairman stressed the need for affordable internet to expand digital services across the country. He acknowledged that the regulatory body's authority has been curtailed in recent years but noted plans to restore its powers.
He also announced that the commission would halt new NTTN (Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network) license issuances and focus instead on issuing sustainable licenses. "We will now move from a voice-friendly to a data-friendly network," he added, signaling a shift in focus.
Emphasizing fair competition in the telecom sector, Bari warned that no company would be allowed to dominate the market unfairly. "If anyone tries to become a giant, we will clip their wings if necessary." He also advocated for internet access as a fundamental right, saying, "In today's world, internet access should never be shut down."
During the discussion, other speakers pointed out connectivity issues, highlighting that only 30% of mobile towers are currently connected to optical fiber, resulting in substandard service for customers.
TRNB's former president, Rashed Mehedi, presented the keynote on the significance of telecommunication networks in addressing future challenges.
He noted that, as of 2024, around 1,71,106 km of transmission networks, covering both public and private sectors, extend across Bangladesh, facilitating internet access even at the union level.
Brac University teacher Saimum Reza, Fiber At Home Chairman Moinul Haque Siddiqui, Summit Communications, Chief Network Architect Farrukh Imtiaz, Teletalk's Acting Managing Director Nurul Mabud Chowdhury, among others, took part in the discussion.
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