The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has released a draft policy aimed at reforming the country’s telecom network and licensing framework. Titled the “Telecommunication Network & Licensing Regime Reform Policy 2025,” it seeks to consolidate the fragmented licensing system into three main categories, eliminate minor intermediaries, and promote infrastructure sharing to reduce operational costs.
The policy also includes a migration plan to phase out obsolete licenses by 2027, introduces lighter frameworks for small-scale operators, and deregulates certain telecom sectors. However, several contradictions in the policy could lead to regulatory confusion, particularly concerning mobile operators’ ability to offer wired services and inconsistent foreign ownership limits.
The three-stage migration process will begin in 2025, with full implementation by 2027. The BTRC’s focus is on promoting fair competition, efficient resource utilization, and improving the quality of service.
Shahed Alam from Robi Axiata and Rakibul Hasan from Link3 Technologies welcomed the policy draft, emphasizing the need for mergers and acquisitions to drive service quality improvements and lower costs.
