BTRC should allow use of all apps for smartphones along with ‘Bijoy’

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s order to pre-install Bijoy app in all imported and locally-manufactured android phones has drawn sharp criticism. According to the directive, all imported and locally manufactured Android smart handsets must have the app pre-installed before receiving marketing permission.
The BTRC order was issued on Friday to the relevant stakeholders, including all mobile manufacturers and the president of the Bangladesh Mobile Phone Importers Association. Since 1988, the Bangla typing software “Bijoy” and Bangla keyboard known as the “Bijoy Keyboard” has been patented to Mostafa Jabbar, posts and telecommunications division minister. IT experts said the BTRC’s directive to use the Bijoy Keyboard on all Android phones is an absurd, ridiculous and rights-violating decision. BTRC said Bangladesh Computer Council recommended Bijoy as a standard keyboard for smartphones and computers. It is only mandatory for local manufacturers and importers to install the app on their devices. However, Ridmik Keyboard, a competitor, is most popular among mobile phone users. This unlawful decree unequivocally raised a conflict of interest as the incumbent telecoms minister is Bijoy’s patent holder.
In the swearing message of every minister, there is a clause that they would not favour or disfavour any entity for their own benefit, favouring the Bijoy Keyboard is a violation of the oath. Using the state machinery to favour himself, the minister and the BTRC violated the rule of equal competition for IT software and apps. We regret the BRTC’s direction to preinstall the Bijoy Keyboard in all Android smartphones manufactured in the country or imported for the local market must be controlling virtual space. At the same time, users can install any app they like with thousands of open sources. The BTRC should withdraw the direction and encourage user-friendly apps for smartphones.
The government should not control people’s experience using open sources with low rating rates and technical glitches in using apps. Imposing anything is wrong in today’s world, it may be a despotic rule or rule of using anything without people’s rating and support.