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local entrepreneurship and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), would limit operations to a single district.

These licensees could provide internet and data services, along with related value-added services, but not voice calls.

Both licences would be issued for ten years and could be renewed later.

FEES AND ROLLOUT CONDITIONS

The guideline sets out a new fee structure. The FTSP licence would require a Tk 25 lakh acquisition fee and an annual fee of Tk 10 lakh.

The District FTSP licence would cost Tk 2 lakh to obtain and Tk 1 lakh annually.

Licensees would also need to provide bank guarantees and meet strict rollout targets, including expanding coverage and increasing subscriber numbers over five years.

To prevent monopolies and ensure fair competition, the BTRC has proposed restrictions on cross-ownership. A single legal entity may hold only one FTSP or District FTSP licence, but not both.

Firms that already hold licences for cellular mobile services, national infrastructure, or international connectivity would be ineligible for fixed telecom licences.

This separation is intended to maintain competition and prevent dominance across multiple sectors.

The draft also allows up to 85 percent foreign ownership in FTSP and District FTSP entities, with at least 15 percent reserved for domestic investors.

Companies with existing foreign investment beyond this limit would have three years to comply.

The FTSP licence offers broad and technology-neutral coverage, allowing providers to offer emerging services such as IoT, video on demand, and triple-play packages combining data, voice, and video, subject to BTRC approval.

The narrower District FTSP licence would still enable local operators to deliver essential internet and data services.

Through the new framework, the BTRC says it hopes to bridge the digital divide, improve service quality, and strengthen the position of the country in the regional digital economy.