The government has ruled out any chance of reverting to the old telecom licensing framework, calling it ineffective and a barrier to sectoral growth.
A new system is being introduced under the Telecommunication Network and Licensing Policy 2025, now published as a gazette, bringing more than 3,000 previously issued legal and illegal licences under review.
The newly released guideline involving fees, charges, and revenue-sharing is a draft and will be finalized after consultations with stakeholders and economists. The government has assured that internet prices will not increase under the updated policy.
The previous licensing system failed to expand access to the internet, devices or fibre connectivity. Fibre links are still scarce across homes, businesses and industries, while only 22% of mobile towers are currently connected to fibre. As a result, Bangladesh's per capita data usage is one-fiftieth that of India. The sector must shift from connection-based services to digital service-based offerings.
Although mobile and ISP packages have increased, the country has yet to see strong growth in digital products such as EdTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, FinTech or logistics technology.
Operators, including ISPs, mobile carriers, NTTNs and IIGs, have not adopted secure or quality-of-service-based systems, and many still lack adequate security measures.
To accelerate digital economic growth, the government has abolished 26 categories of licences and replaced them with a simplified four-tier structure.
The streamlined system is designed to eliminate intermediaries, prevent monopolistic practices, and boost competition without reducing government revenue.
