Bangladesh has introduced a significant telecommunications reform that removes the legal authority for state-imposed internet shutdowns, marking a major shift in the country’s digital governance framework and regulatory approach to connectivity and digital rights.
The reform, confirmed by Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the interim government, is positioned as a structural recalibration of the relationship between the state and citizens, aimed at strengthening digital continuity, freedom of information, and confidence in the country’s digital economy. By withdrawing shutdown powers from the statutory framework, the amendment establishes legal protection for uninterrupted internet access.
The revised framework introduces several broader regulatory changes. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) regains expanded operational authority, reducing prior ministerial pre-approval requirements for licensing, tariffs, monitoring, and enforcement activities. Only strategically significant licences will now require ministerial oversight, based on structured assessments involving industry and academic input.
The amendment also introduces reforms intended to improve investor confidence, including reduced financial penalties and clearer regulatory processes. Transparency and accountability measures have been strengthened through the establishment of a quasi-judicial oversight committee responsible for reviewing regulatory decisions, alongside mandatory reporting requirements to parliamentary committees.
In parallel, the ordinance updates lawful interception provisions to align with international standards. The new framework introduces structured approval processes, documentation requirements, time limits, and post-review mechanisms, while categorizing interception requests into emergency and non-emergency cases to ensure proportionality and oversight.
Observers note that the reform could have significant implications for the country’s telecommunications sector, which relies heavily on both domestic and foreign investment. By reinforcing regulatory stability and limiting discretionary shutdown powers, the government aims to signal a more predictable operating environment while supporting continued digital growth.
