STAFF CORRESPONDENT

BNP yesterday expressed concerns over the BTRC’s recently drafted “Telecommunication Network and Licensing Regime Reform Policy 2025”, saying that unilaterally enacting such a national policy ahead of the upcoming national election would be inappropriate.

The party said that the draft policy contains certain provisions that would give advantages to large mobile operators, while harming small and medium-sized entrepreneurs.

“Such a national-level telecom policy must be formulated with proper caution, transparency and inclusive participation. Since the national election is approaching, decisions should not be made in a hurried manner,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in an emergency press conference at the Chairperson’s Office in Gulshan.

Stating that the policy contains serious flaws that could hinder equitable and sustainable development in the telecom sector, Fakhrul called on the government to hold open discussions with all relevant stakeholders -- including the small and medium enterprises, technology experts and consumer groups -- before finalising the policy.

“BNP, with a constructive mindset, is highlighting the potential weaknesses, ambiguities and certain clauses within this draft that could unduly benefit large mobile network operators (MNOs) -- which might harm The

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