Telecom experts call for consumer centric reforms

Experts at a discussion in Dhaka yesterday (19 October) called for telecom policy reforms to improve resource utilisation, promote fair competition, and make voice and internet services more affordable for the masses.

They also stressed the need for the empowerment and independence of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) alongside its accountability and transparency.

The event, organised by the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association, featured an expert panel focused on reducing internet costs to boost digital adoption across all sections of society.

Telecom expert Mahtab Uddin, former president of the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB), in his keynote, highlighted how political influences in the telecom sector result in excessive taxes and fees, which burden the consumers.

"We are neither digital nor smart," Mahtab Uddin said. "Our telecom infrastructure is barely ahead of Afghanistan. Even though voice services are declining, mobile operators still make 50-60% of their revenue from calls. Policies need urgent updates to improve service quality."

He added, "The internet must be affordable and of high quality. Digital inequality persists, and to bridge the gap, VAT and taxes on internet services should be reduced."

Panelist Fida Haq, a technology entrepreneur, emphasised the need to restructure internet infrastructure and make data more affordable. "Fast, affordable internet is our lifeline. The focus should now be on data, not voice services," he said.

Anamika Bhakta, a senior director at Robi Axiata, discussed the financial challenges faced by telecom operators. "Despite large investments each year, Robi's profit margin is just 3%, which makes maintaining service quality difficult. We hope the government will address this."

Khaled Abu Naser, a former director at the Competition Commission, raised concerns about the lack of competition in the market. "We need to clarify whether BTRC's role is to generate revenue or ensure services. Breaking monopolies and encouraging competition are critical," he said.

Call for internet as a human right

In his closing remarks, Mohiuddin Ahmed, president of the Mobile Phone Consumers Association, called for internet to be recognised as a fundamental human right. He referred to instances when the internet was shut down during political uprisings and urged the interim government to prevent such actions.

"We want the government to declare internet access a basic human right," he said. "ISPs and telecom companies should not support internet shutdowns. BTRC must be accountable to the public."

The discussion concluded with calls for policy reforms driven by public interest, rather than political or corporate agendas.

Other speakers included telecom expert Mustafa Mahmud, activist Diderul Bhuiyan and lawyer Yarul Islam among others.