Base Internet Speed Doubled to 10 Mbps at Tk 500

Internet users across Bangladesh will now receive 10 Mbps broadband speed for Tk 500, doubling the previous speed of 5 Mbps, the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) announced.

"This upgrade comes under the existing Tk 500 package, offering better service without increasing the cost," said ISPAB President Emdadul Haque at a roundtable titled "Challenges, Opportunities, and Way Forward for Internet Services" held at the BTRC headquarters in Agargaon.

The move aligns with the "One Country, One Rate" policy introduced by the BTRC in June 2021, which standardised broadband pricing nationwide. Previously, the Tk 500 package provided 5 Mbps speed, while Tk 800 and Tk 1,200 packages offered 10 Mbps and 20 Mbps, respectively.

Responding to BTRC’s earlier proposal to cut prices by up to 20 percent, ISPAB opted to improve service quality instead. “Customers care about quality, not just price. That's why we’ve doubled the speed,” Haque said.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the Chief Adviser with oversight of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and ICT, warned businesses against influencing policy through financial incentives. “Don't go to political leaders with bags of money. It's unsustainable,” he said.

He noted that several telecom licences would soon be revoked, with stricter performance milestones introduced for existing operators. He also revealed a new telecom act is in progress and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending internet shutdowns.

Taiyeb criticised the poor quality of internet services, saying, “Some claim our internet is the cheapest in the region, but in terms of quality, it's among the worst. That makes it overpriced.”

BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd) Md Emdad Ul Bari echoed these concerns and criticised political interference in telecom policymaking, particularly in the manipulation of the International Long Distance Telecommunications Services (ILDTS) policy.

He also said small businesses may no longer need full licences to operate, with a registration process being considered to further liberalise the ISP market.