International Gateway (IGW) operators in Bangladesh have requested permission to route both international text messages and incoming calls under the newly proposed licensing policy. Currently, IGWs handle incoming calls while mobile operators route international SMS. Asif Rabbani, president of the IGW Operators Forum (IOF), urged the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to issue directives to formalize this change.
The background stems from a 2008 government framework designed to combat illegal VoIP operations, establishing a network topology where IGWs receive international calls and pass them to local users through Interconnection Exchanges (ICXs). In 2014, IGW operators introduced the “IGW Operator Switch,” granting them control over a common network switch without formally amending the ILDTS policy, resulting in regulatory violations and market dominance by a cartel.
Since the appointment of Md Emdad Ul Bari as BTRC chairman in 2024, the commission has sought to reform the sector. Investigations revealed unauthorized amendments by IOF and concerns over transparency, particularly regarding Market Development Expenses (MDS). Over 95% of Tk 631 crore collected was routed through a single account tied to Beximco Computers, prompting the BTRC to refer the matter to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Following these findings, BTRC revoked approval of the operational agreement between IOF and IGW operators concerning call exchanges. The reforms aim to improve governance, ensure fairness, and align Bangladesh’s telecom sector with global best practices.
