MAHTAB UDDIN AHMED

When I asked different stakeholders across the telecom spectrum about the new policy, almost everyone leaned forward and asked, “So, what’s in it for me?” The moment I mentioned a few positives, they interrupted, “Yes, but what about what we didn’t get?” It reminded me of a story about a man who served a cup of tea. First, he complained it was too hot, then too cold, and finally that it was too little. When offered more, he frowned and said, “Now it’s too much!” The poor host was left wondering if he wanted tea or therapy. We behave much the same way; even when the policy finally pours us an almost full cup, we keep stirring it until we find something missing.

Bangladesh’s Telecommunication Network and Licensing Policy 2025 represent the most ambitious reform since the 2010 international long distance telecommunication services (ILDTS) framework. After years of regulatory clutter and institutional inertia, it finally attempts to reset the foundation for a more efficient, investor-friendly, and future-ready telecom ecosystem. It simplifies, streamlines, and most importantly recognises that in a digital economy, regulation should enable innovation rather than restrain it. Yet, as with all major reforms, its success will depend on how well the details are executed, and it’s not all perfect!

The new framework replaces the outdated maze of overlapping licences such as those for International Gateway (IGW), International Internet Gateway (IIG), Interconnection Exchange (ICX) and National Internet Exchange (NIX) with a streamlined four-tier structure comprising Access Network Service Provider (ANSP), National Infrastructure and Connectivity Service Provider (NICSP), International Connectivity Service Provider (ICSP), and Non-Terrestrial Networks and Service Provider (NTNSP). A separate Telecom-Enabled Service Enlistment (TESP) category covers OTT and value-added services under light-touch regulation. This overhaul eliminates more than 3,000 existing licences, facilitating convergence among voice, data, and digital services. For the first time, policy and technology appear to be running in sync, rather than on parallel tracks.

Technology neutrality, which allows the rollout of 5G, 6G, IoT, and AI-based services without additional approvals, reflects a confident and forward-looking approach. The mandatory provision for both active and passive infrastructure sharing replaces years of duplication and inefficiency. The policy also sets clear ownership with mixed reactions. However, this is partly offset by lower spectrum pricing, which can attract investment in network expansion, provided that operators maintain high service quality and coverage standards.

Equally encouraging is the focus on sustainability and cyber resilience. Operators are now required to utilise renewable energy, manage electronic waste responsibly, and adhere to international data protection standards. Lawful interception, a long-debated area, now includes judicial oversight to strike a balance between national security and privacy rights. The three-stage migration roadmap ensures an orderly transition for existing licensees by 2027, preventing market disruption. Importantly, the transition period provides delisted licensees, such as ICX and NIX operators, with the opportunity to negotiate service partnerships with access operators who will continue to require these services. This creates room for collaboration rather than exclusion, as operators expanding their networks will still depend on the infrastructure and expertise of these entities.

Despite these advances, a few gaps remain. Several key implementation details, including those related to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), significant market power (SMP) regulation, pricing and peering frameworks, are deferred to future Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) guidelines, leaving room for uncertainty. The regulator’s independence, although frequently mentioned, remains more symbolic than real, as BTRC’s autonomy still depends on ministerial approval. Small ISPs and local entrepreneurs, who have been the backbone of rural connectivity, may find compliance and migration costs too burdensome, despite the introduction of district-level licensing. These practical challenges could dilute the inclusivity that the policy aspires to achieve if not addressed with transitional support.

The next phase must focus on converting intent into action. The BTRC should promptly issue clear operational guidelines on migration, infrastructure sharing, and SMP regulation to eliminate ambiguity. A new Telecommunication Act 2026 should be introduced, replacing outdated laws and ensuring the complete statutory independence of the BTRC, along with updated provisions for data protection, cybersecurity, and spectrum trading. The point of debate remains whether it should be done by the current interim government or left to the upcoming elected government!

The new telecommunication policy is a timely and courageous step forward. It corrects years of fragmentation and creates the foundation for a more integrated, innovation-driven sector. Its success, however, will depend not on how well it reads but on how sincerely it is implemented through clarity, transparency, and consistent follow-through. Bangladesh now has the blueprint for transformation. What it needs next is disciplined execution and the collective will to make its digital future truly inclusive and sustainable.

The writer is the president of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh and founder of BuildCon Consultancies Ltd