'New policy will allow mobile operators, Starlink to take internet business hostage'

A draft of a new policy has been prepared in the telecommunications sector with the perspective of “mobile operators are bigger than the country”. If this policy is implemented, three mobile operators and the US company Starlink will take internet business 'hostage.'

'Overall, the price of internet at the consumer level will increase by at least 20 percent. On the other hand, the five-fold increase in license acquisition and renewal fees, and the more than double increase in revenue sharing with the government will force most domestic ISPs to close down. As a result, people in rural areas will be deprived of affordable internet services. In this situation, a situation like a digital shutdown may be created in the country.'

Aminul Hakim, president of ISPAB, an organization of internet service providers, made the remarks at a press conference at a restaurant in the Rawa Club Complex in the capital on Monday.

The organization's Secretary General Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan also spoke at the press conference. Other central leaders of the organization were present.

From the press conference, all political parties in the country were called upon to take a stand against this draft policy immediately.

ISPAB president said that the draft policy has provided the opportunity for mobile operators to provide fixed broadband services directly through fiber optic cables. This is in conflict with the terms of the license given to them. Because the definition of the license clearly states that they will provide 'cellular' services specifically. That is, their services will be only radio wave-based mobile telecommunication services. They cannot provide any services through cables under any circumstances. By providing the fixed broadband services of mobile operators, about 2,400 ISP companies established by domestic entrepreneurs are being thrown into a crisis of existence. He said that reading the draft policy, it seems that "mobile operators are bigger than the country". Because the draft policy has given importance to expanding new business areas and protecting the interests of mobile operators only. At the same time, the license acquisition and renewal fees have been increased by about five times for all categories of ISP companies. The amount of revenue sharing with the government has been increased. Allocation to the social responsibility fund has been made mandatory. As a result, if this policy is implemented, the amount of money paid by IACP operators to the government will increase to 40 percent instead of the current 21 percent. As a result, most ISP companies will be closed and the internet business will become the pocket of mobile operators.

Aminul Hakim strongly criticized the policy and said that the license fee for Starlink, one of the richest companies in the United States, to do business in Bangladesh has been set at 10,000 US dollars or about Tk12 lakh. And the license fee for ISP companies established with domestic micro-investment has been set at Tk2.5 million. Through this, steps are being taken to basically close the business of domestic entrepreneurs. "So will domestic ISPs close their businesses and become Starlink resellers in the future?" In response to the question, Aminul Hakim said: "The master seller of Starlink in the country is Bangladesh Satellite Company. Several ISPs have already been offered to become Starlink resellers by that company."

The ISPAB president said that "the country may face a digital shutdown and the business be destroyed if we wait until the next election." For this reason, he called on all political parties to take a strong stance and action against the draft policies and guidelines of the telecommunications sector now.

In response to another question, he said that ISPAB has already contacted the regulatory body BTRC. Discussions will be held with the regulatory body. However, such discussions have taken place before, but ISPAB's demands, proposals or recommendations did not receive any attention. For this reason, he also announced that he would launch a strong movement if the BTRC does not comply with ISPAB's demands in the interest of protecting the existence of domestic ISPs.