The Bangladesh government is reportedly planning a comprehensive overhaul of its telecom policy aimed at accelerating the country’s transition to a digital economy and improving overall service quality.
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the newly appointed special assistant to the chief adviser, has criticized the existing telecom policy structure as outdated and primarily focused on voice services instead of data. He described the current approach as “obsolete,” advocating for a system that transitions away from monopolistic or duopolistic ownership of telecom infrastructure.
“The government is determined to dismantle policies that have stifled Bangladesh’s data market by allowing certain companies to hoard the existing fibre infrastructure as if it were a treasure trove,” said Taiyeb. “The more fibre you lay, the more business you create.”
Taiyeb also acknowledged that Bangladesh’s communications sector has not adequately adapted to the demands of the digital age and the Internet of Things (IoT), citing past governments’ digital policies as “inconsistent, subpar, and globally misaligned.”
As the Bangladesh government gears up for this essential transformation, it aims to establish a telecom environment that not only enhances service quality but also supports the nation’s broader digital economy ambitions.
