A sweeping move by the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) promises to lift the pace of the country’s home internet by doubling the speed on the cheapest shared broadband package from 5 Mbps to 10 Mbps at the same Tk500 monthly price. While residential customers relying on shared connections will reap the gain, those with dedicated, or fixed, broadband will not receive a bonus speed. The proposal comes amid a broader push to improve internet quality, curb costs, and reform regulatory structures to enable faster, more affordable access across urban and rural areas. In parallel, industry leaders outlined a series of regulatory and infrastructural measures designed to bolster capacity, increase competition, and lay groundwork for a long-term upgrade to the nation’s digital backbone. The discussions at a Dhaka roundtable with government representatives, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), and other stakeholders mark a pivotal moment in the country’s quest to align internet affordability with global standards and to drive investment in education, healthcare, and disaster management through stronger connectivity.
Background and context: the Bangladeshi broadband landscape and policy shifts
Bangladesh’s broadband market has historically been characterized by a mix of shared and dedicated connections, with affordability often lagging behind quality. In recent years, critics and consumers alike have pointed to slow speeds, unreliable performance, and high prices even as households increasingly depend on internet services for everyday activities—from remote schooling and telemedicine to e-governance and small business operations. The BTRC’s regulatory framework, including rules established in 2021, permitted some sharing of dedicated internet capacity among up to eight customers. This policy was intended to maximize resource use and reduce waste, but it also introduced a set of complexities for service providers and regulators trying to ensure fair access, predictable pricing, and dependable performance for end users.
Against this backdrop, the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) has emerged as a vocal advocate for a more aggressive pricing and performance agenda. ISPAB’s leadership has argued that a more flexible, competition-driven approach can unlock faster speeds at lower costs by enabling more efficient utilization of existing backbone and access networks. The roundtable in Dhaka brought together ISPAB, government officials, and BTRC representatives to publicly reflect on how best to translate policy into tangible improvements for millions of Bangladeshi households paying Tk500 per month for a 5 Mbps shared connection. The move to 10 Mbps at the same price is framed as a direct response to consumer demand for higher performance without a corresponding rise in price, aligning with government objectives to broaden internet access, raise digital literacy, and support a more robust online economy.
Beyond speed adjustments, senior ISPAB leaders and policymakers highlighted the need for a minimum broadband baseline of 20 Mbps with appropriate regulatory support. This aspiration reflects a long-standing goal to raise the floor of service quality so that households and small businesses can rely on consistently strong connectivity for education, healthcare, and business continuity. The discussions underscored that achieving such a target will require coordinated action across regulatory policy, wholesale pricing, infrastructure deployment, spectrum management, and the encouragement of new market entrants. The announcements also touched on the ongoing tension between encouraging competition and stabilizing a market that has historically seen limited competition in the fixed broadband space.
To provide a clearer understanding of the market dynamics, it is important to distinguish shared broadband connections from dedicated, fixed lines. Shared connections are typically priced lower and are designed to serve multiple customers. They are precisely the segment where ISPAB believes the speed boost will yield the most noticeable consumer benefit. On the other hand, dedicated or fixed broadband connections offer higher levels of reliability, consistent performance, and symmetric upload-download capabilities, but they have not been recipients of the same speed enhancements in this round of policy consideration. The diverse mix of offerings within the Bangladeshi broadband ecosystem means that any policy move must balance consumer welfare with the financial viability of service providers and the regulatory objective of ensuring a fair and competitive market.
As the roundtable concluded, observers noted a broad consensus on the need to modernize the network architecture and governance to support higher speeds, better reliability, and more transparent pricing. The conversations also acknowledged that achieving meaningful reforms will depend on the willingness of operators to adopt new practices, the readiness of regulators to implement updated standards, and the ability of the market to attract investment in both access networks and the backhaul that sustains these services. The momentum generated by these discussions signals a new phase in Bangladesh’s internet policy, with the potential to reshape how households experience the internet in daily life and in remote or underserved regions.
Speed increase details and who benefits
The central development announced by ISPAB centers on increasing speeds for the most affordable shared broadband plan. Specifically, residential users who currently subscribe to a Tk500-per-month package delivering 5 Mbps on a shared connection will see their speeds doubled to 10 Mbps, all at the same Tk500 monthly price. This change is framed as a straightforward, consumer-friendly adjustment designed to maximize value without imposing additional costs on a broad segment of users. The leadership of ISPAB indicated that this acceleration will be automatically applied to eligible subscribers, with the expectation that the upgrade will be implemented promptly across the network and reflected in customers’ billings and service performance.
A key point of emphasis is that this speed uplift applies to shared connections. For customers who have dedicated, fixed broadband services, there will be no additional speed bonus in this initiative. The distinction between shared and fixed broadband remains a crucial factor for both pricing strategies and service guarantees. Shared connections are typically more elastic in terms of how many customers can benefit from resource pooling, but they can also present wider variations in performance due to concurrent usage patterns. In contrast, fixed broadband connections offer more predictable performance, higher service levels, and often higher base prices given the dedicated nature of the resources.
Estimations from ISPAB place a meaningful impact on the market: approximately 65% of the country’s fixed broadband base, totaling around 1.4 crore (14 million) connections, stands to benefit from the proposed changes in the shared-broadband segment. While the 65% figure specifically targets fixed connections benefiting from the broader move to improved shared broadband, it signals a substantial footprint of households and customers anticipating improved experiences in their internet usage. As the changes are rolled out, service providers have begun implementing the agreed-upon measures, with the association’s leadership noting that deployment has started in earnest following yesterday’s public disclosure.
In addition to the Tk500-to-10 Mbps boost, subscribers on other shared broadband packages are also set to experience higher speeds over time. For example, plans offering 10 Mbps at Tk800 per month and 20 Mbps at Tk1,200 per month are expected to receive progressively higher speeds as the regulatory and market adjustments take hold. This gradual enhancement approach aims to extend the benefits beyond the flagship Tk500 plan, expanding the reach of improved performance while preserving affordability. The overarching aim is to redeem consumer trust in the reliability and value of shared broadband options while maintaining a sustainable business environment for providers to invest in network upgrades.
Consumer-facing broadband complaints about slow speeds and inconsistent performance have underpinned calls for regulatory and market reforms. The roundtable acknowledged that slow performance, particularly in shared broadband segments, has been a frequent source of dissatisfaction among users, including those relying on mobile internet services. The outcome of these discussions is expected to inform ongoing policy calibrations, improving performance standards, and offering a clearer framework for evaluating service quality across different product tiers.
To quantify the impact, industry observers estimate that a substantial portion of the fixed broadband user base will benefit indirectly from the improved efficiency and resource sharing introduced in the shared-broadband segment. By optimizing capacity, unutilized resources can be shared more effectively, which can translate into better overall network utilization, potentially reducing congestion during peak usage periods. This, in turn, can create a ripple effect—improved user experiences on shared connections may free up capacity or resources that can enhance performance for fixed connections, depending on how network management and peering arrangements are configured.
Regulatory proposals and economic implications
Alongside the headline speed boost, ISPAB presented a suite of regulatory and economic proposals intended to unlock broader benefits for the sector and for consumers. One of the core recommendations is a significant reduction in wholesale bandwidth pricing, with a target price of Tk150 per Mbps, down from the current multi-slab rate regime that can exceed Tk350 for smaller service providers. The group argues that more competitive wholesale pricing will empower smaller operators to offer faster services at lower consumer prices, which could expand market access in underserved areas and intensify competition in the fixed broadband space.
In parallel, ISPAB called for the establishment of exclusive rights to operate fixed broadband business, a measure designed to clarify market boundaries and streamline regulatory oversight. While the specifics of this proposal require careful policy design to prevent anti-competitive outcomes, the stated objective is to create a more predictable environment for investment and for the deployment of durable fixed-line infrastructure, particularly in densely populated urban centers where demand for reliable home broadband remains high.
A set of additional recommendations focuses on maximizing efficiency through policy levers that enable greater sharing of unutilized resources. This includes the potential for more flexible utilization of existing capacity, which can help reconcile the tension between resource scarcity and consumer demand. The association also pressed for a reduction in the transmission capacity charge to Tk5 per Mbps, a move that would further lower the cost of delivering high-speed internet to end users and smaller providers alike. These proposals collectively aim to lower barriers to market entry, increase competitive intensity, and accelerate the deployment of network capacity in a cost-effective manner.
Another major thrust of the proposals is to accelerate investments in infrastructure through active sharing of resources, capacity expansion, and access to government facilities. ISPAB’s plan calls for extending license tenure to 10 years to provide a more stable investment horizon, increasing capacity within the Internet Interconnection Gateway (IIG) and National Transmission Network (NTTN) facilities, and enabling access to government infrastructure for private operators. The rationale is straightforward: longer license terms, more robust capacity, and easier access to public assets should lower the overall cost of entry and operation for service providers, enabling more rapid bandwidth expansion and service deployment.
A key theme in the policy package is to protect and promote consumer affordability. In their discussions with senior government figures, ISPAB leaders underscored that an affordable 10 Mbps service at Tk500 should be viewed not only as a consumer win but as a signal to the market that price discipline and efficiency can coexist with stronger network performance. The group suggested monitoring mechanisms to ensure providers adhere to promised benchmarks and to prevent anti-competitive behavior that could undermine the broader objective of increasing access and lowering prices.
The regulatory blueprint also contemplates removing political influence from the telecom business, a governance shift that would help cement market-oriented approaches and reduce the risk of policy capture. The leadership emphasized the need to move toward an environment where deregulation proceeds on a set of objective, performance-based KPIs rather than political considerations. The aim is to create a predictable, fair, and transparent framework that fosters innovation and investment, while safeguarding consumer interests and encouraging robust competition among operators.
Some of the more technical policy revisions involve a three-layer network topology designed to improve resilience, scalability, and performance. The goal is to implement a structure that is easier to manage, monitor, and upgrade in a cost-effective manner. Regulators and industry stakeholders highlighted that a well-structured topology can facilitate more efficient traffic routing, reduce points of failure, and enable swift adoption of future technologies such as high-capacity multiplexing and fiber-based backhaul. The broader ambition is to position Bangladesh as a more attractive market for investment by demonstrating a strong, future-ready framework for internet infrastructure development.
In terms of licensing, officials discussed the possibility of reducing the total number of licensees in order to concentrate investment and standardize service quality, while ensuring that performance-based KPIs drive ongoing improvements. This approach would be complemented by a more rigorous enforcement regime, with consequences for operators who fail to meet agreed standards. The government leadership signaled that licenses would come with clearly defined conditions, with penalties and fines attached to non-compliance, to deter lax implementations or attempts to evade mandated upgrades.
The policy package also includes commitments to support capacity expansion for critical network segments, such as IIG and NTTN capacity, which are central to how data and traffic move across the country. Improved access to government infrastructure is framed as a way to accelerate the deployment of essential broadband networks, particularly in underserved areas where private investment alone might not sufficiently bridge gaps. Exempting profit-sharing for five years is intended to provide a financial cushion for new entrants and to incentivize investment in long-term network expansion, especially in rural regions where the digital divide remains pronounced.
In the broader context of affordability and service quality, senior figures indicated that achieving a 10 Mbps service at Tk500 is a tangible demonstration of what a competitive market can deliver. They stressed that if providers can achieve 10 Mbps at that price, they should be able to offer 20 Mbps under similar terms, provided that there is effective monitoring and disciplined pricing. The expectation is that market participants will hold themselves to high standards, with regulatory bodies actively overseeing performance and pricing to ensure consumer benefits are realized.
Looking ahead, the regulatory agenda contemplates performance-based KPIs as the primary drivers of deregulation. Rather than capping the number of licensees outright, regulators would apply outcome-oriented metrics that reflect real-world service quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. The aim is to foster a dynamic environment where operators continuously strive to improve, rather than merely meet minimal compliance requirements. The bridging principle is to align deregulation with actual performance improvements, so that the market delivers tangible benefits to users while maintaining a robust and fair competition landscape.
Consumer impact, education, healthcare, and disaster management
The impending changes are expected to have wide-ranging impacts beyond the immediate market economics. For households relying on shared broadband, the speed upgrade to 10 Mbps at Tk500 will translate into noticeably quicker streaming, smoother video conferencing, faster downloads, and more reliable web browsing, especially during peak usage times. For many families, this can reduce the friction of online learning, facilitate more effective remote schooling, and support telemedicine applications that are increasingly integrated into daily life. Improved network performance can also enhance access to digital government services, enabling citizens to complete administrative tasks with greater speed and reliability.
From an education and healthcare standpoint, higher broadband speeds unlock opportunities for more interactive online learning environments, improved access to digital libraries, and the deployment of telehealth and remote monitoring services. As the government and private sector work toward strengthening digital infrastructure for education, the improved affordability and performance of shared connections are likely to support distance learning initiatives, online assessments, and e-library access for students in urban and rural regions alike. Similarly, disaster management and emergency communication systems can benefit from more reliable, high-speed connectivity, enabling timely data transmission, surveillance, and rapid information dissemination during crises.
For mobile internet users, the broader push to reduce wholesale prices and increase capacity can indirectly benefit service quality and affordability. While the policy package focuses on fixed broadband, the ripple effects across the broader telecom ecosystem—such as improved backhaul capacity, more efficient network management, and enhanced peering arrangements—can contribute to better mobile data experiences. The overall objective is to elevate digital resilience, ensuring that Bangladeshi households can rely on robust connectivity as more essential services and critical applications migrate online.
Consumer confidence is also central to the strategy. The roundtable discussions emphasized the need for transparent pricing, consistent service quality, and clear performance benchmarks. Regulators and industry players acknowledged the importance of building trust with users by delivering consistent, predictable speeds, minimizing variability, and protecting consumer rights against unfair pricing practices or sudden changes in service terms. The emphasis on reliability is designed to complement the speed upgrades, ensuring that higher speeds translate into tangible, everyday benefits rather than theoretical gains.
The policy agenda is also anchored in addressing persistent complaints about slow shared broadband speeds and occasional outages. By lowering wholesale costs, expanding capacity, and improving network topology, regulators hope to reduce the frequency and duration of performance dips. The anticipated outcome is a more stable and dependable internet experience for households and small businesses that depend on online connectivity for daily operations, online education, and digital entrepreneurship. In this context, the proposed changes are not merely about faster speeds on paper; they aim to deliver real improvements in everyday digital access and reliability.
Leadership voices, governance, and the broader trajectory
Key voices at the Dhaka roundtable underscored a shared commitment to advancing Bangladesh’s internet ecosystem through pragmatic reforms and contemporary governance practices. ISPAB’s leadership emphasized the practical benefits of rapid speed improvements on price-sensitive consumer segments, noting that delivering 10 Mbps at Tk500 is a direct translation of consumer demand into policy action. They highlighted that the speed increase is a signal of market responsiveness, demonstrating that private sector collaboration with regulators can yield tangible, visible improvements in everyday internet usage.
On the government side, officials stressed that the internet remains among the most critical infrastructure in the country’s social and economic development plans. They acknowledged that the current global landscape places Bangladesh among nations with substantial room for improvement in affordability and service quality. Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant and acting head of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, outlined a comprehensive plan to phase out systems that enable internet shutdowns, arguing that such shutdowns have harmed freelancers and deterred investment. He asserted a clear commitment to ensuring the internet remains accessible and reliable as part of the country’s strategic development agenda.
Taiyeb also commented on Bangladesh’s regulatory ranking, noting that the country lags behind global peers in internet affordability and e-governance. He described a three-layer network topology intended to enhance resilience and scalability, along with a move to introduce performance-based KPIs to guide deregulation activities beginning in June. The statements signal a preference for a more data-driven, results-oriented regulatory approach, with a focus on reducing political interference and creating a more predictable environment for investment and service delivery.
In discussing infrastructure, Taiyeb emphasized the necessity of underground telecom fiber networks in metropolitan areas, arguing that overhead fiber cannot be considered telecom-grade. He asserted that all fiber must be placed underground to ensure stability, safety, and long-term durability. He also discussed the government’s ambition to climb into the top 30 global rankings on relevant indices within the next two years, a goal that would require sustained improvements across multiple dimensions, including accessibility, affordability, digital literacy, and the regulatory environment. His remarks reflected a broader ambition to modernize the country’s network topology and strengthen the role of state institutions in enabling and regulating private investment in the sector.
The leadership’s framing also included a cautionary note about attempts to manipulate policy updates or exploit vested interests. Taiyeb warned that such attempts would backfire, highlighting the need for a fair, transparent process driven by performance and public interest rather than personal or political advantage. The dialogue also touched on developing technologies and services with the goal of delivering faster, more reliable connectivity inside homes, including Voice over WiFi and other innovative solutions, while ensuring that network infrastructure remains robust, secure, and capable of meeting rising demands.
When discussing the broader geopolitical and economic context, lawmakers and industry executives noted that Bangladesh, despite its significant economic footprint as a growing regional player, has yet to realize its full potential in the digital economy. The policy direction highlighted by government leaders focuses on removing obstacles that hinder digital services expansion, expanding access to government infrastructure for private providers, and ensuring that regulation keeps pace with technology. The shared vision centers on enabling a digital-enabled economy that supports education, healthcare, disaster preparedness, and small and medium-sized enterprises through affordable, high-quality internet access.
As part of the longer-term strategic narrative, officials stressed that the top 30 placement in major telecommunications indices is a benchmark for the country’s progress rather than a standalone objective. Achieving this target would require a coordinated, multi-year effort across policy reform, investment, network modernization, and governance reforms designed to attract global capital and partnerships. The emphasis on a top-tier ranking signals the government’s intention to view internet policy as a strategic, long-run priority rather than a set of incremental, short-term fixes. The overall sentiment was one of cautious optimism, recognizing both the scale of the challenge and the potential for meaningful transformation through sustained policy action and market-led innovation.
In parallel, discussions on dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) and the broader fiber strategy reaffirmed the commitment to modern, scalable technologies. The message was clear: Bangladesh does not intend to regress on critical technical capabilities, but rather to accelerate the deployment of high-capacity networks capable of supporting a wide array of services, from high-definition video conferencing to enterprise-grade cloud applications and beyond. The emphasis on indoor connectivity and Voice over WiFi reflects a forward-looking plan to ensure connectivity is robust and accessible in domestic spaces, strengthening digital inclusion and enabling more efficient delivery of public and private sector services.
Technical and infrastructure-oriented ambitions
A core thread running through the policy discourse is the structural modernization of Bangladesh’s network topology to support scalable, reliable, and affordable broadband. Taunting legacy configurations, the proposed three-layer network architecture is designed to improve traffic management, reduce latency, and enable more responsive upgrades as technology evolves. The three-layer approach is intended to separate core, distribution, and access networks in a way that enhances control and enables operators to implement fine-grained quality of service (QoS) policies, which can be crucial for applications such as live video, telehealth, and remote education. This architectural direction is aligned with best practices observed in mature broadband markets and reflects a recognition that sophisticated network design is a prerequisite for achieving high-speed, reliable internet for households across Bangladesh.
A significant focus area is the expansion and modernization of fiber infrastructure. The assertion that overhead fiber cannot be deemed telecom-grade underscores a policy orientation toward underground fiber deployments in metropolitan regions. The rationale is multifaceted: underground networks offer greater protection from weather, physical damage, and unauthorized access; they generally support higher reliability and longer-lifespan performance; and they lay a stronger foundation for future upgrades, including higher-capacity DWDM systems and next-generation broadband access technologies. The plan to have metropolitan fiber networks fully underground within three years conveys a concrete timeline that regulators and industry players will be watching closely, with potential implications for capital expenditure, project financing, and urban planning.
Another technical objective is advancing the adoption of Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi) as a mechanism to improve indoor coverage and user experience. The aim is to deliver voice services over WiFi networks alongside traditional cellular networks, thereby expanding the reach of reliable communications inside homes and offices. This approach can be particularly impactful in settings where mobile network coverage is inconsistent or where building materials and physical obstructions degrade signal quality. By enabling VoWiFi, operators can deliver more seamless, high-quality calling experiences and support a broader set of digital services within the fixed and mobile ecosystem.
The discussion on DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) was framed to reassure stakeholders that the country is not regressing technologically. DWDM is a key technology for increasing fiber network capacity, enabling multiple data channels to carry signals concurrently over a single fiber. The emphasis on not seeking favors from politicians or influencers while pursuing rapid, business-driven deployment of such technologies speaks to the emphasis on merit-based investment and market-driven growth. By focusing on DWDM and other high-capacity technologies, regulators and operators anticipate a future-ready network capable of handling surging demand from streaming, gaming, cloud services, and vertical sectors like education and healthcare.
In terms of governance and policy enforcement, the three-layer topology and the broader regulatory reform aim to create a more resilient, transparent, and accountable system. The expectation is that the restructured framework will facilitate easier tracking of network performance, more precise allocation of resources, and clearer alignment between regulatory standards and operator capabilities. Policy coherence across licensing, capacity expansion, and infrastructure access is viewed as critical for eliminating bottlenecks that have historically constrained growth and elevated costs for end users. The overarching objective is to ensure that Bangladesh’s digital infrastructure can scale in step with population growth, urbanization, and the expanding digital economy.
Industry dynamics, competition, and the regulatory machinery
The proposed policy package places a strong emphasis on competitive dynamics and market structure. ISPAB’s advocacy for exclusive rights to fixed broadband operations is part of a broader discussion about defining and stabilizing market boundaries in a way that encourages investment while maintaining consumer protections. The balance between exclusive rights and competition remains a nuanced policy question, one that regulators will need to address with careful consideration of how different market segments—shared versus dedicated—interact and how wholesale access influences price formation and service quality.
A central element of the proposed reforms is the expansion of wholesale bandwidth capacity and the stabilization of wholesale pricing. By advocating for Tk150 per Mbps as a cap or target price, ISPAB aims to create a more accessible wholesale market that can enable smaller providers to compete more effectively, reach new customers, and lower consumer prices. The reduction in wholesale costs is envisioned to translate into lower end-user prices without compromising the ability of operators to recover their investments in network infrastructure. The policy blueprint also calls for transaction-level transparency and standardized service-level agreements to ensure predictable performance and pricing across the market.
The measure to fix the transmission capacity charge at Tk5 per Mbps is intended to reduce the ongoing costs of moving data across the network. Lower transmission charges can help operators offer more competitive pricing while sustaining capital expenditure in network upgrades. The cumulative effect of these pricing reforms is to lower barriers to entry, attract new entrants, and promote ongoing investment in fixed broadband infrastructure, particularly in regions that have lagged in coverage. Policymakers anticipate that a more competitive wholesale environment will spur innovations in service packages, including higher-tier plans and bundled offerings with value-added services such as cloud access, security, and managed IT solutions for small businesses.
In terms of governance, the policy agenda includes a move to deregulate certain aspects of the telecom sector beginning in June, anchored by performance-based KPIs. Rather than a blanket reduction in regulatory oversight, deregulation would be conditional on demonstrable improvements in service quality, affordability, and access. The approach is designed to promote accountability and continuous improvement, with regulators retaining oversight through measurable outcomes rather than prescriptive rules alone. This shift toward performance-based regulation aims to align incentives for operators with the public interest, encouraging innovation while ensuring that consumer protections are not sacrificed in the pursuit of greater efficiency.
Part of the broader reform strategy is to reduce political influence and strengthen digital governance. The leadership underscored the importance of establishing clear lines of accountability and ensuring that policy decisions are grounded in empirical data, market conditions, and consumer outcomes rather than political considerations. This governance principle is intended to create a more predictable business environment, reduce regulatory risk for investors, and foster a culture of compliance and ethical conduct across the sector.
In addition to governance reforms, the plan highlights the necessity of expanding access to government infrastructure for private operators. This provision aims to accelerate network deployment by leveraging public assets, facilities, and rights-of-way in a coordinated manner. The policy intent is to lower the cost and complexity of network builds, particularly in urban centers where population density drives high demand for reliable broadband. Access to public infrastructure can accelerate the rollout of fixed and wireless fiber networks, enabling faster bridging of the connectivity gap between urban and rural areas.
A broader objective is to foster an ecosystem that supports both current and next-generation services. This includes a focus on telecom-grade fiber, a commitment to underground cabling, and a willingness to embrace new technologies such as passive optical networks (PON) and advanced fiber backhaul solutions. The industry accepts that the path to improved affordability and performance is not a single reform but a sequence of coordinated measures across licensing, capacity expansion, pricing, governance, and infrastructure deployment. The goal is to create a sustainable framework for growth that benefits consumers today and positions Bangladesh to capture emerging opportunities in the digital economy tomorrow.
Consumer experiences, digital inclusion, and the long arc of investment
From a consumer perspective, the speed uplift on the Tk500 plan is a visible win that can translate into meaningful daily improvements. For many households, 10 Mbps will enable smoother streaming, more reliable video calls, faster downloads of educational materials, and more dependable access to online services. The uplift is particularly relevant in households with multiple family members who rely on the internet for work, study, and entertainment, where bandwidth becomes a limiting factor during peak usage times. The extension of higher speeds to additional shared plans over time promises broader access to enhanced performance for a wider range of households, especially those who have previously felt constrained by price.
However, consumers should also be aware of the distinctions between shared and fixed broadband offerings. Dedicated connections will not see the same speed bonus, so households relying on fixed lines may need to evaluate service bundles or consider gradual upgrades aligned with their usage patterns and budget. The strategy acknowledges this reality and seeks to maintain price stability for the Tk500 shared plan while encouraging investment in fixed infrastructure through the proposed policy reforms and longer license tenures.
For the broader population, the regulatory strategy aims to advance educational and economic outcomes by improving access to high-quality internet. In education, improved connectivity supports distance learning, digital classrooms, and access to a wider range of online learning resources. For healthcare, more reliable broadband can facilitate telemedicine, remote diagnostics, and health information systems that require consistent, high-quality connectivity. For disaster management, robust internet access is essential for early warning systems, emergency communications, and rapid information exchange with the public and with service providers during crises. The combined effect of these improvements is a more resilient society that relies on digital networks as a core component of public safety, social welfare, and economic vitality.
In terms of industry dynamics, the reforms are designed to encourage investment and competition while maintaining a strong regulatory framework to protect consumers. Private operators, including smaller providers, stand to benefit from lower wholesale costs, greater access to capacity, and improved infrastructure. The policy emphasis on extending license tenures, expanding IIG/NTTN capacity, and enabling access to government infrastructure creates a more predictable investment environment that can attract capital for further network modernization. The long-term objective is a broader, more inclusive digital economy in which households and small businesses have access to affordable, high-quality internet that supports education, entrepreneurship, and essential services.
From a macroeconomic point of view, the drive to lower prices and improve quality aligns with broader national development goals. Access to affordable, reliable broadband is a known catalyst for productivity, innovation, and inclusive growth. The policy framework seeks to harness the potential of Bangladesh’s young, dynamic population by providing the digital backbone needed for skill development, remote work, and digital services delivery. In parallel, the government’s aim to move into the top 30 global telecommunications indices reflects an ambition to position Bangladesh as a credible, investment-friendly marketplace for regional and international technology providers, with the expectation that improved infrastructure and governance will support sustained growth over the coming years.
The discourse around underground fiber infrastructure and the modernization of the national backbone underscores a recognition that future network demands will be substantial. As data usage grows, the need for high-capacity, resilient, and secure networks becomes paramount. Transitioning away from overhead fiber toward underground deployments is a strategic choice designed to reduce outages, improve protection against damage, and support the seamless integration of advanced connectivity solutions inside homes and businesses. The long-term trajectory envisions a Bangladesh where digital services are ubiquitous, reliable, and affordable, enabling citizens to participate fully in the digital economy and public life.
Conclusion
The roundtable discussions and policy proposals signal a major shift in Bangladesh’s broadband strategy, anchored by a bold speed uplift for the Tk500 shared plan and strengthened by a comprehensive set of regulatory reforms. By doubling the speed at the same price for the most affordable shared connections, ISPAB aims to deliver immediate consumer benefits while laying the groundwork for deeper investments in fixed infrastructure, wholesale pricing reforms, and governance improvements. The envisioned minimum 20 Mbps broadband target, along with wholesale price reductions, longer licenses, and expanded access to government facilities, points to a multi-year plan to transform the country’s digital landscape.
Crucially, the reforms are framed to balance consumer gains with market health. The emphasis on performance-based deregulation, anti-corruption measures, and the removal of political influence in telecom governance seeks to create a more predictable, investment-friendly environment. The emphasis on underground fiber, improved network topology, and the potential introduction of VoWiFi illustrate a forward-looking strategy to enhance indoor connectivity and overall service quality. If implemented effectively, these measures could help Bangladesh ascend toward top-tier global rankings in internet affordability and broadband performance, while delivering tangible, day-to-day benefits to millions of households and businesses across the country.