The mobile operators Grameenphone, Robi Axiata, Banglalink, are allegedly trying to take full control and monopolise the broadband internet business in the country.
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have long been offering the service in the country under a government guideline.
The government has decided to issue a single licence irrespective of specific technology to make the licence more accommodative and modern, according to the BTRC.
The ISP operators allege that the move to issue single licence is being done to favour the four nationwide ISP providers and the three mobile operators.
Newton Hossain, an ISP owner, told the Daily Observer that the three mobile phone operators wanted to monopolise internet business in the country through the 'so called' transformation of the broadband internet business. The three mobile operators have already made a presentation to the BTRC in this regard.
During their presentation, they also highlighted various options while using internet service provided by them.
But ISP operators termed the move of the three mobile operators as nothing but a trick.
Insiders alleged some nationwide internet service providers (ISPs) have joined with the mobile operators to drive out the ISPs from the internet business in the country.
Even, they are lobbying with the concerned authority to scrap licences of 2200 ISPs.
"Four nationwide internet service providers, which have influence over the policymakers and huge funds to manipulate policies, formed a syndicate with the mobile operators to take control over the country's internet business," an ISP service provider told The Daily Observer on Thursday on condition of anonymity.
BTRC has issued nearly 3,300 licenses including 2200 ISPs to provide 26 types of telecommunication and relevant services.
Jamal Uddin a small ISP licence holder, told this correspondent that if fixed internet licences are given to mobile operators, they will establish a monopoly in the market. If exclusive privileges are given to mobile operators that will destroy small ISP investors in the country.
There are four categories of licences: nationwide, divisional, district and upazila. If an ISP wants to provide internet service at the district or upazila level for any specific area, they will have to take licence in that specific category.
A high official of BTRC told this correspondent that the concerned committee will analyse the possibility of the unified licence as the mobile operators are seeking for a self-reliance in the network.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has revoked 334 telecom service licences as the firms did not apply for renewal despite expiry of their licences. Among the 334 affected firms are eight nationwide internet service providers (ISPs), including prominent names like Idea Tech, Intech, M/s Dynamic Analojix, Maxnet Online, Aalok IT, Paradise Technologies, Data Edge, and the Bangladesh Internet Exchange Ltd.
About 28 divisional ISPs, 193 Upazila level ISPs, 32 business process outsourcing firms, six IP telephone service providers-Connect BD, HRC, Fusion Net, Information Services Network, Metronet Bangladesh and Royal Green-also lost their licences, according to the BTRC circular.
The list also includes licenses of 63 telecom value added services and four vehicle tracking system firms.
Telecommunication services provided by these unlicensed firms will be deemed illegal, said the BTRC.
The regulatory committee will finalise their strategy to reform the country's telecommunications network topology and the licencing regime by the end of this month and it will be submitted to the government, Maj Gen (retd) Md Emdad ul Bari, Chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) said at a press briefing 21 January.
"The network topology became too complex and fragmented because of too many layers that raised costs. We want a simple and cost effective topology," he said after a meeting of the "Reform of network topology and licensing regime of Bangladesh telecom sector" committee headed by the BTRC commissioner for engineering and operations.
Meanwhile, most of the telecom licenses will expire by 2027 and the new reform strategy with an implementation roadmap will be the key to the upcoming transition to the future telecom landscape.
