Govt okays draft Telecom (amend) Ordinance
New Desk :
The Council of Advisers on Wednesday approved the draft of Bangladesh Telecommunication ((Amendment) Ordinance aimed at improving service quality, strengthening regulatory oversight and preventing the misuse of surveillance powers.
The approval came at a meeting of the Council of Advisers chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at his office, according to an official release.
One of the most significant changes under the amendment is a provision stating that internet or telecommunication services cannot be shut down under any circumstances (Section 97), reports UNB.
The amendment also restores the independence and accountability of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) by moving away from the controversial 2010 amendment framework and redefining the balance of authority between the Ministry and the regulator. Under the revised law, only select national-level licenses will require ministerial approval based on independent studies, while all other licensing powers will revert to the BTRC. To enhance oversight, an Accountability Committee chaired by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Posts and Telecommunications has been formed.
The amendment also reduces the time required for license approvals and lowers previously high fines and recurring penalties to encourage investment in the telecom sector.
Transparency measures have been strengthened, requiring the BTRC to hold public hearings every four months and publish follow-up actions online. Safeguards against conflicts of interest have also been introduced (Section 87).
Strong protections against the misuse of personal data have been included. Surveillance or harassment using SIM and device registration information has been made a punishable offense (Section 71).
Meanwhile, the controversial “speech offence” provision has been revised to criminalize only incitement to violence, aligning it with the Cyber Security Ordinance 2025 (Section 66A).
The amendment introduces new provisions for appeal and arbitration in telecom-related disputes (Section 82B).
A major institutional reform is the establishment of the Centre for Information Support (CIS) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (Section 97A), replacing the National Telecommunications Monitoring Centre (NTMC), which has been abolished. The CIS will only provide technical assistance for lawful interception and will not conduct surveillance itself.
Lawful interception will be strictly limited to clearly defined circumstances such as national security, maintenance of law and order, urgent life-saving needs, and judicial or investigative purposes, following specific procedures and international best practices.
To ensure accountability, the amendment establishes a quasi-judicial council and parliamentary oversight mechanisms. Complaints regarding unlawful interception may be filed with the council, while the Parliamentary Standing Committee will publish an annual public report on interception activities and review related budgets and institutional capacity.
The ordinance also includes provisions for image and voice protection, SIM and device data protection, and alignment with international standards set by the United Nations and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).