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Rased Mehedi

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Journalist, Editor, Views Bangladesh
Changes in network value chain, licensing policies raise crucial questions
Telecom Sector
Article

Changes in network value chain, licensing policies raise crucial questions

Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) President Aminul Hakim raised an important question at a recent seminar organised by the Telecom and Technology Reporters Network Bangladesh (TRNB). The event was held on July 12 at a hotel in Dhaka. I was in the audience section, and tried to listen to and understand everyone’s speech throughout the event. Among the questions raised at the seminar, to me, Aminul Hakim’s question was the most important—yet it went unanswered.

The story of Starlink and reality
Starlink
Telecom

The story of Starlink and reality

The story of Starlink’s satellite internet network is not of today. Its beginning was actually in the 1990s; although the reality of today’s Starlink began a new chapter in January 2020, as a result of the then Trump government’s “Clean Internet” policy. This policy had thrown the global internet system into a major risk of splitting into “United States” and “China” networks. Before going into detail in that context, let’s revisit the backdrop of the 1990s.

What could be the impact on telecommunication sector?
ILDTS policy amendment
Telecom

What could be the impact on telecommunication sector?

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has taken the initiative to bring changes to the International Long Distance Telecommunications Services (ILDTS) policy, which was introduced 15 years ago. This move must be welcomed as the sector has undergone drastic technological transformation in the last 15 years. The entire landscape of telecommunications has changed fundamentally.

How justifiable is the report tabled by the Media Reform Commission?
Media Reform Commission
Special Content

How justifiable is the report tabled by the Media Reform Commission?

As a professional journalist, I have read the report of the Media Commission led by journalist Kamal Ahmed with immense attention. In my 29-year career, I have faced many challenges while reporting on the field for 27 consecutive years in one city, I always felt the need for reforms in the media to overcome those challenges. I have been waiting with great interest to read the report of this reform commission as no such commission has been constituted during the tenure of any political government.

I wish to be a minister once
I wish to be a minister once
State and Politics

I wish to be a minister once

The realm of politics involves intricate calculations. This complex calculation of politics turned convoluted when the maharaja of the state of 'Sukhinagar' announced to appoint of his minister for dejection. In his declaration, the King expressed his desire to appoint such a person as the dejection minister who in a real sense has the experience of enduring pain and can contain it at the bottom of his heart. Following the announcement, several individuals claimed to be in a somber mood and made a long queue outside the palace with the desire to assume this new ministerial post. However, during the interviews, the maharaja observed that none of the candidates neither went through intense pain nor possessed any significant experience of somberness. Consequently, the appointment of a minister for the ministry of dejection became Maharaja's new-found preoccupation.

Make the right decision through technical query
Make the right decision through technical query
ICT

Make the right decision through technical query

The government and the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) are apparently in a state of muddle over the reform of the telecommunications sector. In the meantime, mobile operators are trying to ensure the future control of their business by 'seizing the opportunity'. I am using the word 'seizing the opportunity' because despite repeated attempts during the previous two political governments, mobile operators did not get the desired decision in their favor. Now they are trying to cash in on the situation if they can somehow implement their desired decision during the interim government. Such an attempt has clearly been observed since the current government took office. On the other hand, network transmission operators built with domestic investment, interconnection exchanges, international gateways, and international internet gateway operators, want to preserve the existence of their systems.

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