Dhaka: Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has unveiled a proposal to restructure its licensing framework, introducing three new categories aimed at embracing technological advancements and ensuring tech-neutrality.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, alongside the license, the regulator also proposed two types of enlistment, which will cover small internet service providers and small telecom services, as per the draft ‘Telecommunication Network and Licensing Regime Reform Policy 2025’. Currently, there are 3,573 licensees in 27 categories in the country issued by the telecom regulator, and the existing IGW, IIG, ICX, NIX licenses are to be discontinued after expiry.
BTRC Chairman Major Gen Md Emdad Ul Bari (retd) stated, ‘Through this reform, we aim to ensure that each license category remains distinct and does not overlap with each other. Instead of competing, they should complement each other.’ The BTRC has placed the draft policy for public consultation and has sought comments and suggestions from stakeholders, experts, and individuals by April 30.
The three new categories include Access Network Service Provider (ANSP) with separate licenses for Mobile and Fixed services, National Infrastructure and Connectivity Service Provider (NICSP), and International Connectivity Service Provider (ICSP). Under the ANSP, there will be primarily two individual license categories: Cellular Mobile Service License and Fixed Telecom Service License.
As per the draft, all types of voice, broadband internet, data, and digital services of GSM/IMT/3GPP/LTE technologies or their next evolution will remain under the Cellular Mobile Service Provider, with the license being limited. All types of voice, internet, data, and digital services of fixed wired or wireless technologies will be provided by the Fixed Telecom Service Provider, and its license will remain open.
Services such as submarine or terrestrial cable-based international connectivity, IP transit, carrier contracts, and call termination will fall under the international connectivity category. Licenses for international gateway (IGW) and international internet gateway (IIG) services will be discontinued upon expiry, mostly by 2027. Existing license holders may apply for the broader international connectivity provider license, according to the draft.
Under the national infrastructure and connectivity service category, firms will provide services like domestic transmission using optical fiber, high-speed radio internet through lease of telecom tower, and facility sharing. However, interconnection exchanges (ICX) in the voice industry and the national internet exchange (NIX) licenses will be discontinued after expiry, with existing license holders able to apply for a broader category license.
In the access network layer, which serves end users directly, no license will be revoked. However, in a move to simplify the system, fixed broadband internet service licenses, currently issued separately for national, divisional, district, and thana levels, will be merged into a single fixed telecom service license. Smaller ISPs that do not meet the new requirements will be able to register as small ISPs through an enlistment process.
BTRC also proposed removing licensing or registration requirements for call center services, vehicle tracking services, and telecommunications value-added services. The proposed reforms, after public consultation, will await government approval. To establish a simplified network topology, BTRC aims to replace the existing fragmented and multilayered network structure with a streamlined, service and technology-neutral model that enables better quality of services (QoS) for subscribers and efficient operation for operators.
The new network topology will allow for vertical and horizontal integration of new services, and will allow for flexibility to adapt to emerging needs of the sector. The new policy further opens the door for foreign investment. Under the National Infrastructure and Connectivity Service Provider (NICSP) License, up to 70 percent foreign ownership will be allowed, while the International Connectivity Service Provider (ICSP) License will permit up to 49 percent foreign ownership. These changes are expected to pave the way for increased international investment and technology transfer in Bangladesh’s telecom sector.
The policy also stated that special connectivity support will be ensured to encourage the development of local Content Delivery Networks (CDNs or hyperscalers) and data centers. It mentioned that Mobile Number Portability (MNP) will continue to operate under a separate license for now. However, once the new license categories are introduced, MNP may be transitioned into the NICSP category.