The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has revoked the licences of 16 Internet Service Providers after they failed to submit renewal applications despite the expiry of their authorised operating terms. The official notice, issued on 5 November and signed by Licensing Division Director Lt Col Syed Md Tawfiq-ul-Islam, confirms that each cancellation followed due legal assessment.
According to the circular, the affected ISPs were operating across several upazilas and metropolitan areas but did not meet mandatory renewal deadlines. Providers such as 3G Point Internet (Fatullah), Amar Online BD (South Keraniganj), BD Solution Online (Khilgaon), Friends Network (Sarankhola), Search Net (Adabor) and Sky Fiber Communications (Bangshal) were among those cancelled. Some operators, including Bani Networks Ltd and Neuron Institution of Information Technology, lost multiple licences.
The BTRC warned that continuing any telecom or internet-related operations under a cancelled licence is illegal and punishable under the Bangladesh Telecommunication (Amendment) Act 2010. Activities deemed unlawful include running network infrastructure, serving customers or conducting any telecom business in the affected regions. Operators have been instructed to return their original licence certificates within 30 days, while the regulator’s finance and revenue divisions have been directed to recover outstanding dues.
Officials say this enforcement drive reflects the regulator’s intent to strengthen compliance, maintain service quality and ensure that all ISPs adhere to legal operating requirements across Bangladesh’s local communities.
