BNP leader Ishraq calls for white paper on telecom sector

Engineer Ishraq Hossain, a member of BNP's international affairs committee, has called for a white paper on telecom sector corruption, alleging plunder by the past government.  

Criticising the role of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) under the previous administration, he said the regime imposed internet shutdowns to conceal its brutal actions.  

At a discussion on the necessity of reforms in the telecom and internet service sectors held yesterday at the National Press Club in the capital, he emphasised the need to transform BTRC into an independent regulatory commission.  

The event was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers' Association and the Tech Industry Policy Advocacy Platform.  

Ishraq further noted that Point 9 of BNP's 33-point agenda advocates for allowing all statutory and constitutional institutions, including BTRC, to operate independently without interference.  

He also criticised BTRC for creating regulatory barriers in the industry, such as establishing 7-8 layers in the licensing process, and called for reforms.  

He stressed the need for practical measures to share telecom infrastructure within the industry and prioritise the protection of domestic companies.  

Ishraq added that the telecom sector, like power and other sectors, has been silently looted.  

He demanded a white paper to expose those involved, citing how infrastructure like Info Sarkar-1 and Info Sarkar-2, built with public funds, were handed over to specific individuals or companies to be used like private assets, enabling massive corruption and monopolistic practices.  

He urged policy measures to prevent such exploitation and ensure affordable internet access for all.  

The session, chaired by Mobile Phone Consumers Association President Mohiuddin Ahmed, also featured speakers including former Bangladesh Competition Commission Director Khalid Abu Naser, former senior vice president of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh Saiful Islam Siddique, and IIG Association of Bangladesh President Aminul Hakim.  

Former Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services President Fahim Mashroor, Robi Axiata's Senior Director Anamika Bhakt, Grameenphone's Senior Director for Corporate Affairs Hossain Sadat, and the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh Head of Communications Abdullah Al Mamun also spoke.  

Telecom expert Mustafa Mahmud Hussain, in his keynote, elaborated on the need for reforms in the country's telecom sector.