Tk500 broadband connection speed doubles to 10 Mbps

The Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) has announced that broadband internet users will be provided with 10 Mbps internet speed instead of 5 Mbps for Tk 500 from now on.

ISPAB President Md Emdadul Hoque announced this decision while speaking at a roundtable titled ‘Internet Services: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward’.

Telecom and Technology Reporters Network Bangladesh (TRNB) organised the event at the BTRC Auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Demanding a 10-year license, he said that an investor cannot start a business with a five-year license with a prior guarantee of investment. A ten-year term will encourage this investment.

He further said: "If the wholesale price of bandwidth and transmission cost are reduced in the case of international internet gateways, it will be possible to provide quality internet services at a cheaper rate."

At the same time, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant and also the acting head of the Posts and Telecommunications Division Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, who was present as the chief guest at the roundtable meeting, welcomed the decision.

He said: "You will have to monitor whether everyone is providing internet at this price."

Stating that internet service will be a citizen's right in Bangladesh, he said: "The black policy of internet shutdown will be abolished so that the chances to shut down internet services can be stopped forever. At the same time, the internet will be declared a citizen's right."

Noting that the licensing categories will be reduced to three, he said that the network and licensing structure of the telecommunications sector will be prepared by next June.

In his speech as a special guest, BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Md. Emdad-ul-Bari said: "Those who provide fixed broadband services will not be able to provide wireless services, and those who provide wireless services will not be able to provide fixed broadband services."

Fiber @Home Chairman Moynul Haque Siddiqui said: "Internet is now a lifeline. Internet usage must be increased. A policy must be made so that businessmen do not worry about their income, and consumers also get quality internet services. It has been possible to easily reach both fixed broadband and mobile internet services in remote areas of the country through the Common Transmission Network. If a policy is taken to further improve the quality of service through the Common Transmission Network, that will be appropriated."

Robi's Company Secretary and Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer Shahed Alam said: "If we can make ISPs bigger in the fixed broadband market, then more investment will come in this sector. If incentives can be given in this market, then it is possible to bring a healthy investment in the fixed broadband sector."

Banglalink's Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer Taimur Rahman said: "Customers do not pay separate bills for mobile and broadband abroad. We can also implement this in Bangladesh."

He said: "If everyone, including ISPs, works together, it is possible to provide quality services."

Claiming that internet prices have been reduced by 17 percent in the last 8 months, Lt Col Mohammad Zulfikar (retd), the Secretary General of the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) said: "The prices are being charged below the rates fixed by the BTRC, mainly because of the competitive environment. However, BTRC should do a cost modeling, then we will be able to understand about services. But the number of internet subscribers has not increased. In this case, quality content is an issue."

Internet and information technology expert Sumon Ahmed Sabir said: "We should set a goal of where we want to take the internet in the next three or five years. Even if the government does not shut down the internet, it can be shut down, such as in wars, earthquakes. In the future, such a system must be implemented so that the internet is not shut down."

Telecommunication expert Mustafa Mamun Hossain said: "Mobile operators are making profits. The profit percentage of mobile operators in Bangladesh is much higher compared to foreign countries."

In his speech, TRNB President Samir Kumar Dey said: "The cost of mobile internet and voice calls has increased in the last eight months, this is the experience of ordinary customers."

The keynote presentation at the roundtable was delivered by TRNB Organising Secretary Al-Amin Dewan.

TRNB President Samir Kumar Dey presided over the event, while General Secretary Masuduzzaman Robin delivered the welcome address.