NTP 2015 Comments Mustafa

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering
Honorable Secretary
Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication (MoPT)
Subject : Comments on Draft National Telecommunications Policy 2015
The Department of Electronics and communications Engineering, East West
University appreciates the opportunity to provide its views and comments concerning
the issues raised in the consultation National Telecommunications Policy 2015.
The National Telecom Policy admirably sets a goal of creating a national network
through the convergence of fixed and wireless services that will bring voice, data and
video services to all of Bangladesh. This is an ambitious plan that would create
Broadband on Demand in Bangladesh.
We sincerely believe that the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication (MoPT)
would consider our comments in the perspective and expect forward-looking
recommendations on subject matter.
Mustafa M. Hussain, Assistant Professor, East West University
( MSc. Telecommunications Engineering, Kings College, London)
Phone: 01755629251 Email: mustafamhussain@gmail.com or mhussain@ewubd.edu
Mustafa M. Hussain, Assistant Professor, Department of ECE, East West University. Phone: 01755629251 Email:
mustafamhussain@gmail.com or mhussain@ewubd.edu Plot No-A/2, Jahurul Islam City, Aftabnagar Main Road, Dhaka 1219
The Department of Electronics and

communications Engineering, East West
University
addresses each of the draft
policys
key
objectives
and
their
corresponding strategy recommendations
below.
Comments and Opinions about National
Telecommunications Policy 2015.
1. Preamble
1.1 Telecommunications and associated applications have long been recognized as key
enablers of the three dimensions of sustainable development- economic growth,
environmental balance and social inclusion. The Government of Bangladesh has
declared the Vision 2021, to become a middle income country by 2021. As part of
realizing this vision, the Digital Bangladesh agenda of the Government embodies the
philosophy of effective use of modern technology in implementing Governments
plans in education, agriculture, health, job creation and poverty reduction. Existence
of a robust Telecommunications and IT ecosystem is mandatory to achieve our long
cherished development goals.
1.2 To leverage the enabling role of Telecommunications, the National
Telecommunications Policy, 1998 laid the basic design of a liberalized
telecommunication sector in Bangladesh. It paved the way for separation of the
policy, regulation, and operational functions that were centralized at that time.
1.3 Based on the 1998 Policy, the government enacted the Bangladesh
Telecommunication Regulation Act, 2001 (the Act). Several amendments have been
made to this Act so far, to address the growing needs of the sector. For further
improvement in the service delivery, the government integrated Telecommunications
and IT activities and formed the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and
Information Technology following the strategy of the 6th five year plan1.
1.4 Substantial development has taken place on all fronts in telecommunication
services including internet, mobile and broadband since the adoption of the 1998
Policy. However, the expansion momentum of broadband in rural areas has been
slower than urban areas. Due to rapid technological changes in recent years, the sector
became more interdependent with the global trends of regulation, market structure,
and customer needs. Along with the prospects of the new technologies, citizens are
being exposed to different new threats from the cyberspace. The issues related to
telecommunications and ITs are not remain confined within the boundary of the
country. Hence, the 1998 Policy and associated legislations requires revision to reflect
the demands of the present day and the future.
1.5 The aspirations associated with this new National Telecommunications Policy is to
involve next generation by establishing all-inclusive telecommunications and IT
services equally in rural and urban areas to accelerate national economic growth for a
prosperous digital Bangladesh.
2. Vision
Provide affordable and universally accessible quality telecommunication services to
support the nations sustainable development goals and to integrate the country with
the global knowledge economy.
University highly welcomes the vision and is ready to fully support it with our
academic and industrial expertise.
3. Mission
3.1 To ensure affordable and integrated telecommunication networks and services for
all the individuals, households and businesses in Bangladesh.
3.2 To facilitate an efficient and innovative modern telecommunications industry
through effective competition across all parts of the sector.
3.3 To maintain certainty and transparency in the governance of the
telecommunication sector.
3.4 To Integrate Bangladesh in the new global knowledge economy through
affordable high quality broadband services which will enable research and
development activities and development of human capacity to achieve global
competitiveness.
3.5 To harmonize the policies and legislations in the fields of Telecommunications, IT
and broadcasting.
3.6 To adopt a whole of Government approach to the growth and development of
the telecommunications sector.
3.7 To encourage strong and continuing foreign investment along with the domestic
investment.
3.8 To Promote local manufacturing of telecommunication products and to facilitate
the development of software, applications and content for the domestic and global
market.
3.9 To maintain safety, security and quality of networks and services through
standardization and enforcing strict compliance to the standards.
3.10 To safeguard the social and cultural fabric of the nation by directing the expected
influence of the technology towards the greater benefit of the society.
3.11 To ensure proper utilization and management of the national resources in the

University is ready to fully support the Bangladesh Government in developing a
robust, secure state of the art telecommunication network.
We feel it is vital to prioritize Delivering Broadband policy and mainstream it into our
social and economic development.
According to World Bank A 10% increase in broadband penetration increases the
per capita GDP by 1.38% in the developing countries.
The Internet will fundamentally Impact every dimension of Human Life.
We need revise the existing broadband download speed of 256 Kbps to 2 Mbps by
2015 and subsequently higher speeds of at least 100 Mbps thereafter.
Delivering Broadband is one of the great challenges of the early 21st century. Like
electricity, a century ago, BB will be the foundation for economic growth, job
creation, global competitiveness and a better way of life. It will enable the emergence
of new industries while unlocking vast new possibilities for existing ones. It will
change how we educate children (and other students), deliver health care, manage
energy, evolve public safety, engage Government and access, organize and
disseminate knowledge.
Once upon a time Mobile Phone was a communication device, but Smartphone has
now the potential of being an instrument of empowerment.
Mobile Operators dominate the VAS market and Mobile Apps market to a significant
extent by determining service fees, by selecting Provider according to their existing
relationship, by excluding content providers who do not generate sufficient revenues
or who provide similar non-branded services that it is offering as its own branded
service
A Licensed Operator should not engage in any conduct that has the purpose and/or
effect of substantially lessening competition in a telecommunications market and
should not directly or indirectly fix purchase or selling prices or any other unfair
trading conditions;
4. Guiding Principles
The following five principles guide the National Telecommunications Policy to ensure
the development and sustainability of a vibrant telecommunications sector in
Bangladesh:
4.1 Open and Competitive market: Telecommunication infrastructure provision
and service delivery shall be conducted through the operation of open and
competitive market along with the substantial role of the government to maximize
aggregate social benefits.
4.2 Universal Access: Modern telecommunication services shall be accessible to all
citizens and communities. All aspects of access which includes but not limited to
availability, affordability and capacity to use shall be addressed to ensure that universal
access is achieved.
4.3 Effective Governance: The government shall facilitate high regulatory standards
in the telecommunication sector and shall be proactive for taking timely decisions on
telecommunications and IT related policy adjustments.
4.4 Appropriate Regulation: Regulation of the sector shall be certain, transparent
and non-discriminatory. The purposes of the regulations are to promote competition,
sector development and migration to more efficient means of delivering quality
services.
4.5 Forward Looking: Provision of contemporary and proven new technologies,
concepts, applications and converged services shall be promoted to develop and
maintain global competitive advantage in all telecommunications embedded industries
for creating a digitally inclusive knowledge based economy.
5. Policy Time Horizon

The National Telecommunications Policy is intended to be relevant for the next 10
years at least. However, the policy may be reviewed time to time and revised, if
necessary, to preserve its effectiveness and relevance. The associated strategies, and
the activities listed herein, shall also be monitored, reviewed and revised regularly.
University highly appreciates the policy time horizon.
6. Policy Objectives
The objectives of the National Telecommunications policy, inter alia, include:
6.1 Affordable and Universal Access
6.1.1 Ensure affordability through scale and efficiency of the sector.
6.1.2 Facilitate comprehensive social inclusion and cohesion through affordable
telecommunication and IT services to bridge the Digital Divide.
6.1.3 Inculcate Brand-Bangladesh culture and traditions in the architecture of
telecommunications and associated applications to provide citizen centric services.
6.1.4 Expand network and services in marginal areas to enable economic and social
inclusion through redirecting some portion of industry revenues.
6.1.5 Ensure effective and non-discriminatory interconnections amongst the service
providers.
6.1.6 Ensure secured and efficient international connectivity for the
telecommunication networks.
Drones, Balloons, And Satellites Are The Future Of Internet Connection.
Sri Lanka has already signed a deal to deploy Google Loon high altitude floating
telecom tower balloons full free broadband internet coverage to the entire country.
Sri Lanka is on its way to becoming the very first country in the world to have
network connectivity cover the entire country.
The most dramatic (positive) change in our global economy is about to occur between
2016 and 2020. Three to five billion new consumers, who have never purchased
anything, never uploaded anything, and never invented and sold anything, are about to
come online and provide a mega-surge to the global economy.
Here are the four major efforts, deploying tens of billions of dollars to make free
public wifi based Internet : Google's Project Loon, Facebook using Drone , SpaceX
Global Constellation , OneWeb Virgin Group and Qualcomm
We strongly believe Bangladesh Government should consider Free Public Wifi Access
through space internet segment as Affordable and Universal Access connectivity.
6.2 Quality of Service and Customer protection

6.2.1 Establish proper grievance redressal mechanism to provide effective customer
friendly environment.
6.2.2 Establish mechanism for service providers to ensure their accountability and
transparency for quality of service, fixing tariff, charging etc. and uphold the customer
interest.
6.2.3 Ensure customers legitimate privacy and protection of personal information.
6.2.4 Keep telecommunications and platforms protected and capable of effective and
expedient recovery in the event of criminal acts or threats.
6.2.5 Uphold the national security interest in the overall telecommunication sector.
Protecting the interests of subscribers and consumers in respect of quality of service is

one of the major duties of BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory
Commission) as set in the telecommunications Law.
It is being observed that all the operators, excepting few, are not paying any attention
to the quality of their respective services. As a result, the overall quality of the
network has followed deteriorating trends, instead of further improvement. Although
the subscriber base has been increased but the customers complains have also been
increased simultaneously. Frequent call drop, poor network coverage and
unsatisfactory customer care support are the common issues being faced by the
subscribers. As a result, customers dissatisfaction is increasing and complains against
the network are also increasing day by day.
The BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission) should
maintain a high level of quality of service delivered to customers in Bangladesh, by
monitoring key performance indicators (KPI) of licensed operators and publishing
reports regularly on the quality of service of telecommunications services offered in
Bangladesh
The regulator has already purchased equipment to monitor the services and will
purchase the equipment needed for preparing their reports, which they will submit to
the regulator. The regulator's evaluation will be thorough and will check the quality of
services on the highways, railways and riverside.
6.3 Development of Telecommunications market and services

6.3.1 Ensure that licensing is technology and network neutral in line with the guiding
principle of the government.
6.3.2 Move towards stable and effective licensing scheme to facilitate flexible response
to opportunities and technologies in future.
6.3.3 Introduce licensing for the commercial satellite operations and services.
6.3.4 Introduce authorizations and class licenses for certain telecommunication
services and applications.
6.3.5 Create environment for migration to digital broadcasting from analogue.
6.3.6 Formulate a suitable ownership transfer mechanism in licensing framework.
6.3.7 Ensure appropriate regulatory measures to create and maintain competitive
environment in the telecommunication sector.
6.3.8 Address market failures through appropriate government intervention.
Licensing is a Key Regulatory Instrument that is Integral to the Successful & Efficient
Supply of Telecom/ICT Services to the Citizen .It is a Grant of Right to Operate &
Provide Services by Regulator/Government. It Imposes General & Specific
Obligations/Restrictions etc.
Licenses should be issued to the Entity Which Can Bring Maximum Socio-Economic
Benefits for the Country
Service and technology neutrality allows operators to maximize their use of the latest
technology while reducing costs and befit end users.
Bangladesh Government should actively consider Moving towards an Effective,
Forward-Looking Licensing Framework which would enable the Nation to Realize
the Full Potential of Telecommunications and Information Technology. As, this
enables growth and support national aspirations of becoming a middle income
country.
In Bangladesh we have different types of licenses mainly Individual & Class Licensing
Regime [ICLR]:
Technology Defined Licensing 2G Mobile (GSM / CDMA)

Standardization Based Licensing BWA (WiMAX802.16e)
Resource Defined Licensing 3G Mobile (Allocation of 2100 MHz FrequencyBand)
Network Topology Based Licensing
Carrier (SC, ITC);
Gateway (IGW, IIG);
Exchange (ICX, NIX);
Access Network Service (ISP, IPTSP, PSTN);
Transmission and Infrastructure (NTTN, Tower)
Over The Top (VTS, CC, CP); etc.
Open Licensing Regime: Remains Open To Acquire by Eligible Applicant(s),
Not-Revenue Focused
Close Licensing Regime: Available as per Govt. Wish, Limited Number of
License, Revenue Focused
Moving from Individual & Class Licensing Regime [ICLR], to Unified Licensing
Regime [ULR] also should be the Key Issue to Consider.
Regulators should move towards a unified licensing framework by consolidation of
existing service specific license categories and remove Categories of Licenses That
Add No Value and Represent Artificial Constraints, Exclusive Licensing
Arrangements
The implementation of ULR requires careful planning and comprehensive assessment
of arrange of issues. Industry consultation should be a part of the transition process at
each step.
Licensing framework should meet the regulatory requirements of a converged
telecommunications sector, licenses should be technology neutral
VERTICAL CONVERGENCE For example, Transmission system is the integral

part of the telecommunication service delivery. Due to vertical separation of licensing
scope, mobile operators are not allowed to lay fiber and it has been made mandatory
to get the fiber transmission service from the NTTN licensee. In most cases, it is
found that NTTN licensees are unable to cater the demand of service providers. This
is impacting the growth of sector, infrastructure and telecom penetration in remote
rural areas. In case of vertical convergence from Bangladesh context, ULR may
consolidate the business scope of access network, transmission and gateway services.
Where there is insufficient competition in a market, licensing should be used as a
means of facilitating competition (including new market entry if needed)
HORIZONTAL CONVERGENCE For example,
Next generation
telecommunication network are built on common and IT based technology standards
like IP, which is making it possible to run a number of services on the same network
infrastructure built for different access technologies. The same core network,
transmission network, service network and billing/charging could be used to serve
both fixed and mobile customers.
Separation of licenses based on access technology would lead to duplicity of
infrastructure deployment and would be a national loss. Convergence on the access
side would be allowed and encouraged, and necessary changes in the regulatory
framework should be brought.
Any new licensing regime should undergo a thorough economical analysis to ascertain
whether the country resources can be used most optimally and the value created for
the customer and society is maximum and sustainable.
License gives an investor or, a service provider the authority to enter in to a service
market, hence the licensing process determines the level of competition in the market.
To create a competitive environment no artificial entry barriers should be created and
wherever it is possible the entry should be made open; but it has to be ensured that
the policy and licensing criteria should not impede competition among the players.
The licensing regime should also be non-discriminatory and should not favor any
particular type of investor, ethnicity and nationality.
Assessment of the current licensing framework and identification of amendments
required to ensure the unified licensing regime fits within the existing legislative and
regulatory framework;
Assessment of the appropriate level of regulatory intervention required (i.e. individual
license versus class license) and the license terms and conditions;
Development of the process for issuing new licenses and whether there should be any
restrictions on the number of licenses issued, for example future towerco license
government should not issue more than 3 licenses. If government gives license like
gateways and exchange it will be a disaster for towerco industry,
6.4 Management of scarce resources

6.4.1 Ensure effective and equitable best practice processes for the planning,
allocation and assignment of spectrum to maximize social and economic benefits.
6.4.2 Promote efficient and flexible use of spectrum with provision of regular audit of
spectrum usage.
6.4.3 Support the emergence of future telecommunication services by ensuring proper
management of spectrum.
6.4.4 Emphasize on appropriate and best practice processes for the planning,
allocation and assignment of numbering schemes and other resources.
6.4.5 Establish the rights in obtaining access to the space orbit resources and
spectrum for satellite operations and applications.
The availability of spectrum has become a key issue in tackling the forecast rise in
global mobile data traffic, which is expected to create significant capacity constraints
on mobile networks in the coming years.
The capacity of a base station site is directly related to the amount of spectrum
available to the operator. Effectively, the greater the amount of spectrum an operator
has available, the higher the capacity per site. This allows the operator to serve more
data traffic on its existing site grid and reduces the need for new sites.
A key part of the solution is to identify new spectrum bands which can be used for
mobile data services. As a result of this growing demand for spectrum for mobile
services, one of the main agenda items at the next World Radio Communications
Conference (WRC-15) is to consider new spectrum bands for mobile services.
One of the main drivers of future spectrum demand is the growing consumption of
mobile data, which is expected to continue increasing in the future.
It is absolutely essential that sufficient harmonized UHF spectrum is re-allocated to

mobile services so that the mobile industry can continue to deliver high-quality
services, especially mobile broadband.
6.5 Investment
6.5.1 Encourage local private sector and foreign direct investment in the growing
telecommunication and IT sector especially into broadband and other new convergent
services.
6.5.2 Emphasize on allocative efficiency in public sector investment as well as
maximizing social benefits and elimination of gender inequalities.
An effective, forwardlooking licensing framework is essential for the successful
deployment of valuemaximizing technologies, the promotion of effective
competition between operators, and for the facilitation of investment in the
communications sector.
6.6 Efficiency and innovation

6.6.1 Facilitate the service providers to utilize their full potentials and innovate new
convergent services.
6.6.2 Ensure regulatory measures to remove the barriers to the efficiency of the
6.6.3 Support innovative e-services and m-services in important social sectors.
6.6.4 Encourage development of secure and reliable applications to facilitate online
transactions.
6.6.5 Increase efficiency in business transactions through e-commerce.
6.6.6 Encourage innovative use of telecommunications and related technologies and
services.
The Digital Dividend spectrum is especially important for delivering affordable access
to broadband, especially in rural areas. It is approximately 70 per cent cheaper to
provide mobile broadband coverage at frequencies around 700/800MHz than to use
the 3G frequencies at 2100MHz. This means networks can be rolled out quickly and
cost-effectively, bringing cheaper services to consumers. These effects are multiplied
when countries work together to ensure they implement the digital dividend in a
harmonized way regionally, or globally if possible. In countries where harmonized
spectrum is not made available in a timely way, the uptake of broadband will be lower
and slower.
6.7 Employment and Entrepreneurship

6.7.1 Create sustainable employment opportunities within the telecommunication
sector.
6.7.2 Facilitate job opportunities and entrepreneurship in other sectors of the
economy.
6.7.3 Promote local ownership and extend support for the provision of tele-centres or
e-centres in under-served areas and encourage the development of local employment
opportunities around such initiatives.
Mobile Operators dominate the VAS market and Mobile Apps market to a significant
extent by determining service fees, by selecting Provider according to their existing
relationship, by excluding content providers who do not generate sufficient revenues
or who provide similar non-branded services that it is offering as its own branded
service
A Licensed Operator should not engage in any conduct that has the purpose and/or
effect of substantially lessening competition in a telecommunications market and
should not directly or indirectly fix purchase or selling prices or any other unfair
trading conditions;
6.8 Standardization and Local hardware and software production

6.8.1 Support the development as well as use of best practice standards.
6.8.2 Promote indigenous Research and Development (R&D) for hardware
manufacturing and software development to serve local and global market.
6.8.3 Develop institutional framework to support the R&D and manufacturing
industry.
R&D plays an important role to support consensus building in global standardization.
Therefore, The Department of Electronics and communications Engineering, East
West University believes that a global R&D will help the adoption of international
standards by allocating R&D in respective markets.
University highly welcomes the concept and is ready to fully support it with our
6.9 Environment-friendly networks

6.9.1 Establish and strengthen the framework to address the environmental and health
related concerns pertaining to the telecommunications sector.
6.9.2 Promote, enhance and continue adoption of environment-friendly activities in
telecommunications arena.
6.9.3 Encourage use of renewable energy sources to create green telecommunication
sector.
The Licensee should ensure the use of green technology (in terms of renewable
energy, low power consumption etc.) in at least 10% (five percent) of its Access
Nodes (e.g. BTS) within 5 (five) years and at least 20% (ten percent) within 10 (ten)
years of license duration.
7. Strategy
7.1 Customer friendly telecommunication framework
7.1.1 Formulate mechanisms to ensure competitive environment.
7.1.2 Assess the feasibility of function based classification of licenses and identify the
services suitable for authorizations and class licenses considering sustainability of
existing license holders.
7.1.3 Encourage all licensed operators to share facilities without any discrimination as
approved by the government.
7.1.4 Determine the regulatory remedies to reduce the risk of harm to competition
and customers from the dominance of the service provider with Significant Market
Power.
7.1.5 Formulate a suitable ownership transfer mechanism of the license with necessary
thresholds while maintaining licensing framework and adequate competition.
Licensing is an official authorization to provide services and operate networks.
Licenses describe rights and obligations of licensees. License Provide confidence to
investors to invest millions or billions. It clarifies what the licensee is and is not
allowed to do. It can be a small document or a self contained regulatory code that
defines the terms and conditions under which the licensee may operate.
Licensing Framework that defines what is regulated, who is regulated, and how they
are regulated. Effective and forwardlooking licensing framework is essential for
developing telecom sector. Licensing determines degree of competition, revenues
earned by governments, and conditions for operation and supply of services.
Commercial considerations, rather than regulatory mandates, appear to be driving the
increasing trend for MNOs to adopt a variety of infrastructure models.
Infrastructure sharing ensures Optimization of scarce resources and positive
environmental impacts, Decrease in duplication of investment, reducing capital and
operational expenditure, Positive incentives to roll out into underserved areas,
Improved quality of service particularly in congested areas, Product and technological
innovation as operators compete on service differentiation, Increased consumer
choice as entry and expansion become easier and Reductions in wholesale and retail
prices for mobile services.
7.2 Facilitate introduction of efficient telecommunication infrastructures and

services
7.2.1 Facilitate high speed broadband services for all individuals, communities,
educational institutions, homes, and businesses in the country.
7.2.2 Develop a comprehensive roadmap on transition to Digital Terrestrial
Television Broadcasting (DTTB) to provide information and recommendations on
policy, regulation, technologies, network planning, customer awareness and business
planning for smooth migration.
7.2.3 Introduce a code for the construction of ducts and associated access points for
all concerned authorities.
Drones, Balloons, And Satellites Are The Future Of Internet Connection.

Sri Lanka has already signed a deal to deploy Google Loon high altitude floating
telecom tower balloons full free broadband internet coverage to the entire country.
Sri Lanka is on its way to becoming the very first country in the world to have
network connectivity cover the entire country.
The most dramatic (positive) change in our global economy is about to occur between
2016 and 2020. Three to five billion new consumers, who have never purchased
anything, never uploaded anything, and never invented and sold anything, are about to
come online and provide a mega-surge to the global economy.
Here are the four major efforts, deploying tens of billions of dollars to make free
public wifi based Internet : Google's Project Loon, Facebook using Drone , SpaceX
Global Constellation , OneWeb Virgin Group and Qualcomm
We strongly believe Bangladesh Government should consider Free Public Wifi Access
through space internet segment as Affordable and Universal Access connectivity.
7.3 Effective Use of Social Obligation Fund

7.3.1 Develop principles for the prioritization of Social Obligation Fund allocations to
provide services to the neglected areas in Bangladesh.
7.3.2 Include shared services amongst tele-centers, e-centers and broadband access
under Social Obligation Fund.
7.3.3 Prepare a guideline or rule for the use of Social Obligation fund to develop
various Telecommunication and IT devices and applications, particularly for
educational, scientific, cultural, and communication and information purposes
intended for the persons with disabilities and special needs.
UNIVERSAL SERVICE as a concept and funding mechanism is generally used as a
part of the policy of promoting or maintaining universal availability of connections
by individual households to the public telecommunications networks.
BTRC is collecting only 1% of an operators annual gross revenue (against Social
Obligation Fund). We feel contribution to Social obligation fund should be at least
3% of revenue.
SOF already has a large accumulation of unspent funds. SOF and the SOF shall only
be used for the development of Telecommunication and ICT related
service/infrastructure/consultation etc. It has to be spent in underdeveloped and
region/places where the profitable business case for any particular type of
service/license is absent.
7.4 Improve regulatory certainty, transparency and effectiveness

7.4.1 Ensure that best practice standards for both policy making and regulation are
reflected in the legislation.
7.4.2 Strengthen the human resource and institutional capacity of the regulator.
7.4.3 Review the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulating Act, 2001 to align it
with this policy.
7.4.4 Develop a framework for technology, service and network neutrality in
consultation with the stakeholders to apply it in all areas of licensing scheme and
regulation.
Rights and obligations of licensees should be clear and consistent, with changes
resulting only from transparent consultation and Licensees should have recourse to
independent and transparent dispute resolution or appeals processes where there are
disputes with the regulator.
7.5 Protection of Customer rights and Service quality

7.5.1 Ensure that all licensees develop and circulate their customer dealing policies
which includes the expectations of service delivery and billing.
7.5.2 Establish effective, accessible and expedient customer complaint and dispute
resolution arrangements.
7.5.3 Move towards the full Number Portability at the earliest.
7.5.4 Maintain a National Mobile phone and related equipment Register for
addressing security threat, theft and other concerns including reprogramming of
mobile handsets.
7.5.5 Mandate online disclosure of detailed area coverage by telecommunication
service providers.
7.5.6 Formulate a Code of Practice for Marketing and Sales Communications to
ensure transparency and address security issues relating to Customer Acquisition.
7.5.7 Ensure that the service providers shall comply the performance standards and
Quality of Service (QoS) parameters.
7.5.8 Prepare a guideline to safeguard the rights of the persons with disabilities and
special needs.
Protecting the interests of subscribers and consumers in respect of quality of service is

one of the major duties of BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory
Commission) as set in the telecommunications Law.
It is being observed that all the operators, excepting few, are not paying any attention
to the quality of their respective services. As a result, the overall quality of the
network has followed deteriorating trends, instead of further improvement. Although
the subscriber base has been increased but the customers complains have also been
increased simultaneously. Frequent call drop, poor network coverage and
unsatisfactory customer care support are the common issues being faced by the
subscribers. As a result, customers dissatisfaction is increasing and complains against
the network are also increasing day by day.
The BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission) should

maintain a high level of quality of service delivered to customers in Bangladesh, by
monitoring key performance indicators (KPI) of licensed operators and publishing
reports regularly on the quality of service of telecommunications services offered in
Bangladesh
7.6 Effective Utilization of Spectrum and other telecommunications resources

7.6.1 Enhance use of effective and equitable best practice processes for the planning,
allocation and assignment of spectrum.
7.6.2 Periodically identify additional frequency bands for operation of low power
devices for public use which is exempted from licensing requirements.
7.6.3 Assess the feasibility of Fixed-Mobile Convergence thus making available
valuable spectrum for other wireless services.
7.6.4 Refarm2 spectrum from time to time to make spectrum available and allot
alternative frequency bands or media to service providers.
7.6.5 Develop the capacity and necessary institutional framework for Advanced Radio
Spectrum Engineering and Management Studies and policy research.
7.6.6 Develop a detail regulatory roadmap for the utilization of spectrum
7.6.7 Maintain open and participatory allocation process and management of radio
frequency.
7.6.8 Move towards the use of allotted spectrum to provide service in any technology
subject to Radio Regulation of ITU, National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) and
non-interference with other user or bands.
7.6.9 Enhance the spectrum monitoring capacity to address any unauthorized use of
spectrum.
The availability of spectrum has become a key issue in tackling the forecast rise in
global mobile data traffic, which is expected to create significant capacity constraints
on mobile networks in the coming years.
7.7 Coordinate with other policies and strengthen International cooperation

7.7.1 Establish a national forum with representatives of all stakeholders to work on
sustainable development of the telecommunication sector in Bangladesh.
7.7.2 Coordinate with the Board of Investment, the Bangladesh Bank, the Securities
and Exchange Commission and other relevant agencies to attract domestic and
foreign direct investment into the telecommunication sector and for stable and
predictable environment of investment.
7.7.3 Play an active role in the international and regional co-operation,
standardization, policy formulation and resource management bodies.

7.8 Enable proper Management of Cyberspace

7.8.1 Establish the institutional framework for Bangladesh Network Information
Centre (BDNIC) for the management of the ccTLD, IDN, IP addresses, AS
Numbers, other internet resources and for performing as an institutional base in
relation to Cybersecurity.
7.8.2 Prepare a plan of action for the transition to IPv6 and guide the co-existence of
IPv4 and IPv6.

7.9 Enhance Research and Development and

Telecommunications and IT equipment and products
manufacturing
of
7.9.1 Promote synergy amongst manufacturers, R&D centers, academia, service

providers and other stakeholders for the development of high quality new products
and equipment.
7.9.2 Assist entrepreneurs to develop and commercialize locally assembled or
manufactured products.
7.9.3 Establish institutional framework for Telecommunications Standards
Development, which shall be a testing and certification body of all telecommunication
products for conformance, performance, interoperability, health, safety, security,
EMF, EMI, EMC etc.
7.9.4 Encourage global software and equipment vendors to set up meaningful local
presence in Bangladesh.
7.9.5 Establish a National Institute for research and human Resource Development in
Telecommunications which may be of public-private partnership.

7.10 Enhance the competitiveness of State Owned Enterprises

7.10.1 Encourage the state owned telecommunications enterprises to adopt
competitive business strategies including human resource development, management
restructuring, partnering with private sector and attracting local or foreign investment.
7.10.2 Encourage the state owned enterprises to identify and explore the scope of
strategic and operational synergies among themselves for infrastructure creation,
manufacturing and service provision.
7.10.3 Establish key public telecommunications infrastructure in collaboration with
the state owned enterprises to enhance capabilities in the matters of national security,
disaster management, e-service delivery and serving the underserved.
7.11 Ensure Security

7.11.1 Enforce telecommunications service providers to take adequate measures for
the security of the communication flowing through their networks.
7.11.2 Provide assistance to Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) within regulatory
framework in tune with the prevailing license guidelines and in conformity with the
Act for fulfilling national security needs.
7.11.3 Mandate standards in the areas of safety and security in all possible building
blocks of the telecommunication networks i.e. devices, elements, components,
physical infrastructure like towers, buildings etc.
7.12 Enable Disaster and Emergency management

7.12.1 Prescribe sectoral Standard Operating Procedures for aiding effective and early
mitigation during disasters and emergencies.
7.12.2 Create appropriate regulatory framework for provision of reliable means of
public communication by Telecommunication Service Providers during disasters.
7.12.3 Encourage use of ITs in prediction, monitoring and early warning of disasters
and early dissemination of information.
7.12.4 Establish nationwide Unified Emergency Response framework including
nationwide single access number for emergency services.
7.13 Encourage Environment protection

7.13.1 Facilitate increased use of alternative sources of energy including Renewable
Energy for green telecommunications.
7.13.2 Promote the use of energy efficient equipment including low power wireless
devices in telecom networks and adopt measures for the reduction of carbon
footprint in the telecom sector.
7.13.3 Undertake periodic review of EMF radiation standards for mobile towers and
mobile devices with reference to international safety standards by the
telecommunication standards body.

8. Network development and connectivity Targets

8.1 Short term (by 2018)
8.1.1 Increase the tele-penetration from about 80% (including fixed and mobile) to
90%.
8.1.2 Increase the internet penetration from about 27% to 35%.
8.1.3 Increase mobile or fixed broadband penetration to 12% which is about 7% at
present.
8.1.4 Extend optical Fibre connectivity to all District and Upazila headquarters and
1,200 Unions.
8.1.5 Ensure availability of high speed wireless broadband service up-to all Upazila
headquarters.
8.1.6 Introduce digital broadcasting in the country.
8.2 Medium-term (by 2021)

8.2.1 100 % tele-penetration will be achieved.
8.2.2 Internet penetration will be increased to 50%.
8.2.3 Broadband penetration will be 30%.
8.2.4 All of the Unions will have connectivity to information highway through optical
fibre.
8.2.5 High speed wireless broadband service will be available upto all Union level.
8.2.6 20 % of the household and organizations of the country will have access to the
high speed Optical Fibre network.
8.3 Long-term (by 2025)

8.3.1 Internet penetration will be 90%.
8.3.2 60% of the population will enjoy broadband services.
8.3.3 50 % of the household and organizations will have access to the high speed
Optical Fibre network.
9. The Acts on telecommunications:

A number of Acts govern and regulate various telecommunications activities like the
telecommunications between two or more points, audio broadcasting of radio
messages or programs for the specified group of people or the public in general and
telecasting of simultaneous audio-visual programs.
The Telegraph Act 1885, the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1933, the Radio Broadcasting
Act 1975 and 1992, the Television Broadcasting Act 1965 and Bangladesh
Telecommunication Regulating Act, 2001 which regulate these activities may be
considered for a combined Telecommunication Act applicable for all the allied
services of telecommunications.
10. Application of other Policies, etc. relating to Telecommunication

10.1 Subject to the provisions of this policy, other policies of the sector shall apply
and in case of any conflict with other policy related to telecommunications, the
provisions of this policy shall prevail.
10.2 If any doubt or complicacy arises, the Posts and Telecommunications Division,
Ministry of Posts Telecommunications and Information Technology reserves the right
to change or modify any clause or sub-clause of this policy.
10.3 This Policy shall come into force on the date of commencement and the Policy
1998 shall be deemed to be abrogated from that date.
11. Scope of Interpretation of Policy

11.1 The Posts and Telecommunications Division, Ministry of Posts
Telecommunications and Information Technology shall take necessary measures for
the proper Implementation of this policy. In case of any doubt or conflict,
interpretation of Posts and Telecommunications Division shall prevail.
11.2 In executing this policy, if it is felt necessary that certain changes or modification
of any clause or sub-clause is required, Posts and Telecommunications Division
reserves the right to change or modify respective clause or sub-clause.
12. Conclusion
The National Telecommunications Policy is a summary statement of the philosophy,
mission, objectives, strategies and the methodology to ensure equitable and judicious
execution of the business of telecommunications in the country. This National
Telecommunications Policy has been developed to establish clear guidance and
settings for the telecommunications industry in Bangladesh. The general guideline
embodied in this policy document emphasizes faster development of
telecommunications and IT networks and services coupled with ensuring access and
quality of service in line with the vision and aspirations of a prosperous Digital
Bangladesh.

About The author:
Mustafa Hussain Mustafa has considerable experience of the telecommunications

industry including its market, standards and regulations. Amongst the recent
engagements that Mustafa has carried out are: The Implementation of Technology
Integration Solutions, Telecom Technology & Regulatory Strategy Management,
Network. Management, Operations and Rollout, Project Management, Marketing and
Sales for a Telecommunications company, Tasks related to Product Road map,
Product Proposals, Product Presentations, Solution write-ups, Technical Pre-sales,
Concept papers, New Venture Roll out, New initiative and business opportunity,
Design of Telecom Business models and innovative strategies. Mustafa operates
effectively at technical, marketing and strategic management levels and is a competent
and practical engineer in both academic and commercial environments. He is also a
PR/Communication specialist. Mustafa holds MSc Engineering Degree in
Telecommunicatio ns from Kings College London. He is an Assistant Professor of
East West University.
He is also COO, Voicetel Ltd. JV of Partex Star and Karnaphuli Group. A
telecommunications startup, as Interconnection Gateway operator. Advisor, Sky
Telecom (Zelta Mobile) (JV of Partex Star, Karnofuli & Metro Group). Selling Vision
and Futurist of Nextivity BD, with 8 Million USD Sales.Nextivity BD, is a leading
end to end global telecom solutions provider and System Integrator with long-term
partnerships with a large number of global vendors around the world. Nextivity BD
is the local partner for Rohde & Schwarz , Swissqual, Aircom International, Tech
Mahindra, Open Mind Network, Capana Nordic, Canvas-M, Xius-BCGI,VNL, Frost
and Sullivan,Capana, Elitecore, KPMG, Inmarsat, Avanti PLC, Nera Networks and
many more. Nextivity Apps is a leader among Mobile Apps platform. Hybrid
development allows apps for different operating systems to share the same core code,
making overall development faster and cheaper. iOS Development, Android
Development, Windows Development and Firefox Development.
The author can be contacted at mustafamhussain@gmail.com

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Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

The Department of Electronics and

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

The Department of Electronics and communications Engineering, East West

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

5. Policy Time Horizon

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

6.2 Quality of Service and Customer protection

Protecting the interests of subscribers and consumers in respect of quality of service is

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

6.3 Development of Telecommunications market and services

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Technology Defined Licensing 2G Mobile (GSM / CDMA)

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

VERTICAL CONVERGENCE For example, Transmission system is the integral

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

6.4 Management of scarce resources

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

It is absolutely essential that sufficient harmonized UHF spectrum is re-allocated to

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

6.6 Efficiency and innovation

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

6.7 Employment and Entrepreneurship

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

6.8 Standardization and Local hardware and software production

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

6.9 Environment-friendly networks

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

7.2 Facilitate introduction of efficient telecommunication infrastructures and

Drones, Balloons, And Satellites Are The Future Of Internet Connection.

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

7.3 Effective Use of Social Obligation Fund

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

7.4 Improve regulatory certainty, transparency and effectiveness

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

7.5 Protection of Customer rights and Service quality

Protecting the interests of subscribers and consumers in respect of quality of service is

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

The BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission) should

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

7.6 Effective Utilization of Spectrum and other telecommunications resources

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

7.7 Coordinate with other policies and strengthen International cooperation

The Department of Electronics and communications Engineering, East West

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

7.8 Enable proper Management of Cyberspace

The Department of Electronics and communications Engineering, East West

Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering

7.9 Enhance Research and Development and

7.9.1 Promote synergy amongst manufacturers, R&D centers, academia, service

The Department of Electronics and communications Engineering, East West