Govt Enforces New Telecom Policy Despite Industry Concerns

The government has formally enforced the “Telecommunication Network and Licensing Policy” by publishing its gazette, moving ahead despite strong opposition from several quarters of the telecom industry.

The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology issued the gazette on Monday, confirming the adoption of the new framework. The policy, which was earlier approved by the Advisory Council on September 4, has faced resistance from operators and stakeholders who argue that some provisions could disrupt existing business models and limit sectoral growth.

At a press briefing, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant on ICT, defended the move, stating that the new framework seeks to reduce middlemen, streamline licensing, and promote fair competition in the market. “Our goal is to build a transparent and competitive telecom sector that ensures affordable and reliable services for citizens,” he said.

Key Features of the Policy

The newly issued policy introduces several changes in the licensing and operational structure of telecom companies. Among the notable elements are: Stricter guidelines on network sharing to ensure quality of service, Measures to prevent anti-competitive practices by dominant operators, Provisions for increasing government oversight on spectrum allocation and usage and A framework designed to reduce dependency on intermediaries and ensure accountability in revenue sharing.

Industry Pushback

Operators, however, have voiced concern that the rules may increase compliance burdens, restrict operational flexibility, and discourage future investment. Several leading companies had previously submitted formal objections, warning that certain restrictions could lead to higher costs, reduced innovation, and slower service expansion in rural areas.

Industry insiders also argued that frequent regulatory changes without adequate consultation risk damaging investor confidence in Bangladesh’s telecom sector, which has been one of the fastest-growing in the region over the past two decades.

Balancing Reform and Growth

Despite the criticism, policymakers insist that reform is necessary to modernise the telecom sector, which now plays a pivotal role in digitalisation, e-commerce, mobile banking, and everyday communication. The government hopes the policy will expand digital inclusion, enhance competition, and protect consumer rights, particularly as mobile and internet penetration rates continue to rise.

Analysts suggest that while the government’s objectives are ambitious, much will depend on how effectively the new policy is implemented and whether regulators can strike a balance between oversight and encouraging private-sector growth.