Mahmudul Hasan

Bangladeshi citizens were burdened with some of the highest taxes on internet usage in Asia in 2024, with a combined tax rate of 39 percent on internet services, according to a recent report by GSMA, a non-profit organisation that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide.

The number of mobile subscribers dropped by 12 lakh to 18.75 crore in December last year, marking the sixth consecutive month of decline, according to the latest data from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

In line with demands from stakeholders, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) recently reversed its decision to award a contract for the maintenance of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system through the direct purchase method and instead opted for an open tender process.

Bangladeshi companies are embracing AI to enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and drive digital transformation

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has capped bandwidth imports from India at 50 percent of the country’s consumption of 6,500 Gbps to reduce reliance on a single source and promote diversified international connectivity.

The move comes through an amendment to the International Internet Gateway (IIG) guidelines, according to BTRC documents.  

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has amended the licensing guidelines for international terrestrial cable (ITC) operators, raising the gross revenue sharing requirement from 1 percent to 3 percent.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has amended the licensing guidelines for international terrestrial cable (ITC) operators, raising the gross revenue sharing requirement from 1 percent to 3 percent.

The telecom regulator aims to auction spectrum in the 700 MHz band this year to support the expansion of 4G and roll out 5G networks in the country.

Two of the greatest minds in Bangladesh -- Dr Muhammad Yunus and Iqbal Quadir -- came together for an unconventional idea: providing mobile phones, then exorbitantly priced status symbols for the urban elite, to poor rural women in the mid-90s.

A total of 29 international internet gateway (IIG) service providers in Bangladesh still owe the country’s telecom regulator about Tk 205 crore collectively even though the monthlong window to clear their dues has long passed.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has come up with a draft ordinance that would bring sweeping changes to the law, paving the way for the telecom regulator to win back its independence taken away by the previous regime through amendments.

The interim government has revised its aim for foreign exchange reserves, saying it expects to have $28.6 billion by June this year, capitalising on strong growth in inward remittances, exports, and budgetary support from development partners.

The GDP growth target may be brought down to 5.25 percent in the revised budget for the current fiscal year due to the damage caused by multiple floods and the interim government’s contractionary monetary policy to contain high inflation.

Even in current smartphone age, feature phones continue to dominate local handset manufacturing as smartphone penetration struggles to gain momentum due mainly to affordability, availability and an illegal inflow of modern handsets in the country.

Handset production in Bangladesh increased by 17.17 percent year-on-year in 2024, but local assemblers faced significant challenges due to sluggish sales and the rapid expansion of the grey market.

The telecom regulator has drafted stricter quality of service (QoS) benchmarks for mobile operators to better protect users’ interests though the companies fared badly in previous metrics.

The internet regulator has reinstated three-day internet packages in a move aimed at boosting internet usage and offering greater freedom of choice for customers.

The previous Awami League regime, which touted its efforts to make Bangladesh digital, mirrored the poor farmer in Aesop’s fable of the golden goose when dealing with the mobile voice and internet sectors. The interim government is now replicating this flawed approach following its predecessor’s footsteps.

Govt's tax hike to stifle growth and revenue