Bangladesh
The BTRC’s draft reform of the ILDTS policy is a vital step toward a modern, future-ready telecom framework. After two decades of outdated licensing, this overhaul promises a more efficient, competitive, and innovation-driven sector. By phasing out ineffective licenses and addressing key inefficiencies, it sets the stage for meaningful, sustainable growth in Bangladesh’s telecom industry.
The growing strength of the Arakan Army (AA) and its territorial gains in Myanmar’s Rakhine State have raised the prospect of the region eventually becoming a sovereign entity. While this development could reshape regional geopolitics, it poses significant challenges for neighboring Bangladesh. Rakhine’s strategic location along the Bay of Bengal and its role as Myanmar’s maritime gateway make its future a critical concern for Bangladesh’s security, economy, and stability.
In the digital age, robust telecommunications infrastructure is essential for economic growth and social development. Bangladesh has made notable progress in mobile connectivity, with over 170 million mobile subscribers in 2024, according to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). However, significant challenges persist regarding the quality and accessibility of data services.
In Bangladesh, government efforts to fix the retail prices of essential commodities often fall short of achieving long-term price stability. Despite the apparent simplicity of setting price caps to make essential goods more affordable, this approach overlooks the intricate economic and structural challenges in the country’s commodity markets. Understanding the underlying factors, from supply chain inefficiencies to regulatory shortcomings, sheds light on why fixing prices is not a sustainable solution for managing the retail price of commoditie
The Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Act (BTRA) is undergoing a critical revision. Since its inception in 2001, a significant issue with the Act has been its overreaching definition and jurisdiction. The current draft continuesto perpetuate these legacy issues, prompting concerns within the telecommunications and broader regulatory communities.