Summit announces internet price cuts

Summit Communications, a private data and transmission service provider, has announced reducing internet prices and transmission charges complying with the government's move of providing affordable and quality internet service.

"We've reduced internet prices by 10% while NTTN charges by 15-20%," Summit Communications Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Md Arif Al Islam said today (22 April), reports BSS.

"The management committee of the Summit Communications is pleased to announce this reduction to help provide high-quality internet at an affordable price," he added.

Extending their gratitude to Chief Adviser Special Assistant on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb for the initiative of making high-quality internet accessible and affordable for all, Arif Al Islam said Summit Communications has consistently supported government initiatives aimed at advancing Bangladesh's ICT sector.

Summit Communications followed suit of another fellow company Fiber@Home, which also declared reduction of International Terrestrial Cable (ITC) by 10%, International Internet Gateway (IIG) by 10% and Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) by 15%. 

Earlier, the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) declared doubling the internet speeds to 10 mbps from 5 mbps at the same rate of Tk500.  

"We applaud the ISP industry's decision to offer 10 mbps internet for Tk500. In support of this government initiative and to help ISPs deliver high-quality internet at an affordable price, the management of Summit Communications has announced this reduction," said Arif Al Islam. 

He said Summit has maintained over 99.95% service uptime across the majority of their network's service points. 

"We stand ready to fully support every government initiative aimed at enhancing internet quality," he added. 

Earlier, the Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) had also taken a strong step forward by reducing international gateway prices. 

The BSCCL slashed charges by 10% for all IIGs and ISPs, with wholesale clients receiving an even more generous 20% discount in total.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, on Monday, came up with the announcement of internet price cut by Fiber@Home in three tiers in a post on his official facebook page.

He also wrote that the only thing left now is for the three private mobile phone operators to announce price reductions of the internet. 

"There are widespread concerns about the quality of mobile internet in Bangladesh. The price is significantly higher compared to the quality. In this situation, the government is committed to taking reasonable steps in the interest of consumers," he said.

With these collective moves, internet pricing has now been eased at nearly all stages of the country's internet licensing regime — from international links to local access networks, said Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, adding, "Only one key area remains to be addressed: mobile internet."

Faiz noted that although the state-owned Teletalk has already implemented a 10% discount on mobile internet services since Eid-ul-Fitr, the country's three private mobile network operators have yet to follow suit or make any related announcements.

Nevertheless, the government has taken proactive steps to support the mobile telecommunications sector.

"We've provided mobile operators with access to DWDM and dark fibre infrastructure — resources that notably reduce operational costs. With such support and upstream price reductions already in place, there's no justifiable reason for mobile operators to delay lowering their prices," stated Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb.

He expressed optimism that the private operators would soon respond positively and align themselves with the broader national interest.