The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is an independent commission founded under the Bangladesh Telecommunication Act, 2001 (Act # 18 of 2001). The BTRC is responsible for regulating all matters related to telecommunications (wire, cellular, satellite and cable) of Bangladesh.
The BTRC started operating from the 31 January 2002.
Vision of BTRC
To Facilitate affordable telecommunication services of acceptable quality for all regardless of their location.
Mission of BTRC
a. Increase the teledensity to at least 10 telephones per 100 inhabitants by 2010.
b. Establish a phone in every village by 2006.
c. Promote ICT applications to support socio economic development.
d. Create an enabling environment and customer choice for ICT services.
e. Encourage joint Public-Private cooperation in ICT development.
f. Encourage ICT applications which stimulate poverty reduction.
Organizational Structure of BTRC
Following Departments serve Telecommunication matters related to Bangladesh.
a. Systems & Services.
b. Spectrum Management.
c. Engineering & Operations.
d. Legal & Licensing.
e. Administration & Finance.
f. "We built our country on sea level so we whine about flooding every other week" Group
Licenses issued by BTRC
The amount of licenses issued by BTRC is numerous in comparison with international regulatory practices. The following licenses are issued by BTRC according to their website:
International Gateway (IGW) Services
Interconnection Exchange (ICX) Services
International Internet Gateway (IIG) Services
Broadband Wireless Access (BWA)
Cellular Mobile Telecom Operator
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) Operator
Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) Service Provider
Nationwide Optical Fibre Telecommunication Transmission Network
Internet Protocol Telephony Service Provider (IPTSP)
Pre-Paid Card Service Operator
Vehicle Tracking Services
Internet Protocol Telephony Service Provider – Nationwide
Internet Protocol Telephony Service Provider – Central Zone
Internet Protocol Telephony Service Provider – Zonal
Internet Service Provider – Nationwide
Internet Service Provider – Central Zone
Internet Service Provider – Zonal
Internet Service Provider – Category A
Internet Service Provider – Category B
Internet Service Provider – Category C
VSAT User
VSAT Provider
VSAT Provider with HUB
Call Centre
Hosted Call Centre
Hosted Call Centre Service Provider
International Terrestrial Cable (ITC) [Proposed]
By the amount and fine granularity of license types issued, BTRC has a trivial tendency of over-regulation. Over-regulation provides loopholes for corrupt acts, which is allegedly one of the reasons why Bangladesh is still a far distance behind other countries in digitization.
Current Work in Progress
Revision of National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP), 2005
Consultation on Unified Licensing Regime (ULR)
Consultation on Significant Market Power (SMP) Determination & Regulation Procedure
Consultation on Standardization of Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Cellular Mobile Telecommunication Services
Consultation on Standardization of Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
Consultation on Standardization of Quality of Service (QoS) Parameters for Broadband Internet Services
Development of Management Information System and Statistical Indicators
Consultation on Draft Regulatory and Licensing Guideline for Submarine Cable (SC) Systems
Controversies
Numerous controversies were associated with BTRC in the country, including auctioning only one International Internet Gateway License to private operator where the winner was private company Mango Teleservices, but the regulator required the still-state-owned operator BTCL to offer 60% discount on international bandwidth to Mango Teleservices which was not revealed as a license condition during the tendering process. Essentially, Mango Teleservices is awarded a license for a risk-free business.