Dhaka: Another major private data and transmission service provider, Summit Communications, has announced a reduction in internet prices and transmission charges in line with the government’s initiative to provide affordable and quality internet services.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Summit Communications Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Md Arif Al Islam revealed that the company has decreased internet prices by 10 percent and Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) charges by 15-20 percent. The management committee of Summit Communications expressed their satisfaction with the decision, which aims to deliver high-quality internet at a more affordable price.
Arif Al Islam extended gratitude to Chief Adviser Special Assistant on Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb for leading the initiative to make high-quality internet services accessible and affordable. He emphasized Summit Communications’ ongoing support for government efforts to advance Bangladesh’s ICT sector.
Summit Communications’ announcement follows a similar move by Fiber@Home, which also reduced International Terrestrial Cable (ITC) and International Internet Gateway (IIG) fees by 10 percent, along with a 15 percent reduction in NTTN charges. Additionally, the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) has doubled internet speeds from 5 mbps to 10 mbps at the same rate of Taka 500.
Arif Al Islam praised the ISP industry’s decision to offer enhanced internet speeds at existing prices, reinforcing Summit Communications’ commitment to supporting government initiatives and aiding ISPs in delivering affordable, high-quality internet. He highlighted Summit’s achievement of maintaining over 99.95 percent service uptime across its network.
Previously, the Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) reduced international gateway prices, offering a 10 percent reduction for all IIGs and ISPs, with wholesale clients receiving a 20 percent discount in total.
In a Facebook announcement, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb highlighted Fiber@Home’s price cuts, urging private mobile operators to follow suit. He acknowledged widespread concerns over mobile internet quality and pricing, emphasizing the government’s commitment to consumer interests.
Taiyeb noted that internet pricing has been eased across most stages of the country’s internet licensing regime, from international links to local access networks, with mobile internet as the remaining area to address. Despite Teletalk’s 10 percent mobile internet discount, private mobile operators have yet to announce similar reductions.
The government has facilitated the mobile telecommunications sector by providing access to DWDM and dark fibre infrastructure, significantly reducing operational costs. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb expressed optimism that private operators would soon align with national interests and reduce prices in response to upstream reductions.
The government expects mobile operators to address two key issues: reducing prices increased under the pretext of SRO adjustments in March, and ensuring customer-level internet prices decrease proportionately to wholesale rate reductions at the International Gateway, ITC, IIG, and National Transmission levels.