Banglalink applies for ISP license

Mobile telecom operator Banglaling has applied for the internet service provider (ISP) license.

Banglalink Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Erik Aas recently applied to the BTRC chairman for this license.

Senior Banglalink officials said that they want to do this work in a partnership model with someone in the ecosystem.

In the application, the Banglalink CEO said, “Despite having the necessary capacity and expertise, there is a restriction on mobile network operators and their shareholders from obtaining ISP licenses as per the ISP Licensing Policy. As a result, the optimal use of the existing telecommunications infrastructure across the country is being hampered and the potential to provide world-class high-speed internet services is also limited.”

He said, “If this restriction is lifted for mobile network operators, new horizons of innovation, investment, competition and sustainable development will open up in the industry.”

“In this context, Banglalink is seeking an ISP license from BTRC, which will play an important role in accelerating the development of the country's IT sector,” he mentioned in the application.

Erik Aas promised to follow all the policies properly and make maximum efforts to build a strong and innovative telecommunications ecosystem.

A top-level official of Banglalink said, "We believe that an integrated telecom solution—which includes mobile telephony, financial services, fixed lines and fixed ISPs—can ensure the best benefits for customers. This has been effectively implemented in most countries of the world and we believe that it is possible to successfully implement it in Bangladesh through a partnership model, which will provide more accessible, affordable and effective digital services for customers."

Mentionable, for a long time, mobile phone operators have been questioning the limitation of their license scope and demanding an expansion of its coverage. The operators say they want to provide all types of telecom services under their unified license.