Internet Shutdowns Hurt Investment: Faiz Taiyeb

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser and Acting Head of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, on Saturday said that past internet shutdowns have significantly harmed Bangladesh’s investment climate and disrupted the livelihoods of freelancers. He pledged to abolish all policies that allow such shutdowns.

“We must show the world that internet shutdowns are a thing of the past. It’s our responsibility to assure both local and foreign investors,” Taiyeb said while addressing a roundtable titled ‘Internet Services: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward’, organised by the Telecom and Technology Reporters Network Bangladesh (TRNB) at the BTRC Auditorium in Agargaon.

Taiyeb acknowledged that Bangladesh's internet remains among the most expensive globally, despite offering substandard quality. “We lack dedicated internet infrastructure for education, healthcare, and disaster response. Our first task is to overhaul the network topology,” he said.

He also announced a series of reforms, including:

    Phasing out excessive licenses to streamline operations.

    Introducing performance-based KPIs for operators.

    Initiating deregulation starting in June 2025.

    Mandating that all metro-area telecom fibre networks go underground within three years.

On the issue of service quality, Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) President Imdadul Haque said users are frustrated due to frequent call drops and high costs. He noted ISPs are currently offering 5 Mbps internet for Tk 500, which will soon be upgraded to 10 Mbps, and eventually to 20 Mbps at the same price point.

ISPAB also proposed:

    Extending license validity to 10 years.

    Enhancing IIG and NTTN infrastructure.

    Allowing ISPs to use government facilities.

    Waiving profit-sharing obligations for five years.

    Enabling active network sharing.

Taiyeb welcomed these proposals and urged ISPs to ensure affordable service. “If you can deliver 10 Mbps for Tk 500, you can manage 20 Mbps. Monitor your own performance,” he said.

He further stressed the need to eliminate political influence in telecom policy and strengthen digital governance. “No one should expect favors from politicians or influencers. The message is clear—do business, not lobbying,” he stated.

Addressing concerns about Bangladesh’s standing in global internet and e-governance rankings, he said a new three-tier network structure will be introduced to improve the country’s position, with the goal of entering the top 30 globally within two years.

Taiyeb also clarified that the use of Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) signals progress, not regression. He called for rapid rollout of Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi) to improve indoor connectivity and urged for telecom-grade fibre to replace overhead cables.

The keynote was presented by TRNB Organising Secretary Al-Amin Dewan. TRNB President Samir Kumar Dey chaired the session, while General Secretary Masuduzzaman Robin delivered the welcome remarks.