The government of Bangladesh has released a comprehensive white paper detailing corruption, regulatory failures, and structural weaknesses in the country’s postal and telecommunications sector over the past 15 years. Published on the official website of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, the 3,272-page document is positioned as a foundational policy reference for institutional reform, anti-corruption measures, and the delivery of citizen-centric telecom services.
The white paper was prepared by a taskforce formed on April 21, 2025, under the directive of the chief adviser. Led by BUET Professor Dr Kamrul Hasan, the taskforce included academics, telecom experts, and technologists tasked with reviewing long-standing governance failures and maladministration across the sector. While initially scheduled for completion within three months, the review took eight months before being made public.
One of the report’s central findings highlights fragmented licensing practices, excessive issuance of small-scale licenses, multi-layered approval processes, and weak regulatory oversight. These issues, the report argues, have created an inefficient market structure where investment growth has not translated into improved service quality. It also points to a persistent disconnect between policymaking and technological progress, resulting in outdated regulatory frameworks.
The white paper identifies revenue-focused spectrum pricing, delays in infrastructure sharing, and restrictive internet regulations as key reasons behind the slow rollout of modern technologies such as 5G. These policy constraints have increased operational costs for operators and discouraged long-term investment in next-generation networks.
According to the report, inefficiencies in import procedures, taxation, and approval mechanisms have raised the actual cost of data services. Rural and remote communities have been particularly affected, often paying higher prices despite receiving lower-quality services, further deepening the digital divide.
Consumer grievance mechanisms were also found to be ineffective, with delayed or unresolved complaints contributing to widespread public dissatisfaction. The report further notes that unclear mandates and overlapping responsibilities among the Posts and Telecommunications Division, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), and other agencies have weakened accountability and slowed decision-making.
To address these challenges, the taskforce recommends a clearer separation of institutional roles, the establishment of an independent appeals body, and the creation of a dedicated research and policy analysis unit. It also calls for publicly disclosed performance indicators, stronger project management frameworks, and reforms to the telecom tax regime, which it describes as a major barrier to network expansion and affordable broadband access.
