Draft telecom policy keeps door open for monopoly
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s (BTRC) draft policy to reform its complex licensing regime arrives with bold promises — streamlining processes, encouraging competition, and attracting foreign investment.
14 May 2025, 18:00 PM
Govt’s bank borrowing target may shrink in next budget
The government is planning to significantly reduce its bank borrowing target in the upcoming fiscal year as it aims to narrow the budget deficit by scaling down the overall budget size.
13 May 2025, 18:00 PM
Starlink gets 90-day waiver to operate without local gateway
The internet regulator in Bangladesh has granted Starlink permission to supply bandwidth from outside the country for 90 days.
12 May 2025, 18:00 PM
Budget to shrink amid fiscal strain
Bangladesh’s interim government is preparing to unveil a rare contractionary budget on June 2, driven by a sharp rise in interest payment that is crowding out fiscal space and forcing spending cuts.
10 May 2025, 18:00 PM
BBS finally empowered to publish data independently
As part of policy reforms aimed at improving the credibility and accuracy of national statistics, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has been empowered to publish official data without prior government approval.
8 May 2025, 18:00 PM
Local handset production drops as grey market expands
Handset production in Bangladesh declined significantly in the first quarter of 2025 as the grey market continued to dominate the domestic market.
29 April 2025, 18:00 PM
BTRC to ask Banglalink to pay at least Tk 70cr in tower sale fees
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has decided to issue a final directive to Banglalink Digital Communications Ltd, asking the mobile operator to deposit 5.5 percent of the total value of its tower sales, along with all applicable VAT and late fees, to Summit Towers Limited within ten working days.
28 April 2025, 18:00 PM
BTRC approves licence for Starlink
This is the swiftest recommendation from the BTRC for any such licence, according to a BTRC official.
27 April 2025, 18:00 PM
BTRC’s new policy seeks to cut red tape
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has unveiled a draft policy aimed at overhauling the telecommunications licensing and regulatory framework, although a lack of clarity in certain areas may lead to disputes over service boundaries.
23 April 2025, 18:00 PM
Debate heats up over locking SIM slots for smartphone sales on EMI
The major telecommunication companies in Bangladesh and their smaller peers are in a debate over whether they should be allowed to lock all SIM slots when selling smartphones on instalment plans.
17 April 2025, 18:00 PM
Starlink applies for BTRC licence
If approved, Starlink will become the first company to receive a licence under the NGSO guidelines
15 April 2025, 18:00 PM
How youth-led startups are solving real-world problems
From revolutionising education to transforming underwater inspections, youth-led startups in Bangladesh are making waves with bold innovations and creative solutions..The potential and passion of these entrepreneurs were on full display at the Youth Entrepreneurship Expo 2025, organised as
10 April 2025, 02:33 AM
Eid sales surge online, yet fall short of business hopes
The country’s e-commerce and F-commerce platforms are witnessing a surge in sales ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, but growth remains below expectations.
27 March 2025, 18:43 PM
New guideline allows govt to cut off satellite internet if needed
Satellite service providers asked to route internet traffic through local gateways
27 March 2025, 07:12 AM
Govt proposes conditional concessions over 700MHz spectrum auction
The government has formally responded to concerns raised by major foreign telecom investors regarding the upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction, proposing conditional pricing concessions to ease industry apprehensions.
26 March 2025, 18:00 PM
Bangla Phone may get NTTN licence
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) recently approved a Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) licence for Bangla Phone Ltd, the first such licence to be issued in the country in 11 years.
25 March 2025, 18:00 PM
Interim govt must act swiftly on telecom reforms
Says Veon Group CEO Kaan Terzioğlu in an interview with The Daily Star
18 March 2025, 18:00 PM
AL govt sought to pour Tk 277cr in a flop app
When a failed project drains public funds, common sense dictates its cancellation. But the Awami League government’s response was to spend even more on it.
17 March 2025, 18:00 PM
Investors flag concerns over 700MHz spectrum auction
Major international telecom investors expressed concerns about the proposed parameters for the upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction, citing technical, commercial, and economic challenges.
17 March 2025, 05:05 AM
Satellite company seeks partnership to fast-track Starlink’s entry
BSCL has proposed hosting Starlink's gateway at its ground stations in Gazipur and Betbunia
16 March 2025, 18:00 PM