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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After the July Uprising, many questions have been raised about what has happened in the information and telecommunications technology sector of Bangladesh in the past 15 years and how much corruption has occurred. As a journalist, I have reported the irregularities I found while performing my professional duties; but during the period of the ousted autocratic government, it was not easy for journalists to get information about irregularities and corruption. Perhaps, the officials of the current interim government are also facing the challenge of getting that information from the past. That is why, despite raising many allegations of irregularities and corruption, very little specific information has come to the public from the government so far. An investigation committee was formed during the current government's period. One or two committees have also submitted reports; but the reports of those committees have not come to the fore.