Staff Reporter :
The interim government has made a plan to introduce satellite internet as the telecom regulator has sought public opinion for finalization of the draft guidelines so the country could reap the sacrifice of martyrs in July-August mass uprising.
Officials said the move might unleash new opportunities for bridging digital divides alongside backhauling, disaster management and customer data utilization as it could pave the way for world leading companies like Elon Musk’s Starlink and others to enter the Bangladesh market.
The telecom regulator -Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) – on October 29 uploaded the draft regulatory and licensing guidelines for NGSO Satellite Service Operator on its website, seeking opinion by November 18 to finalize the guidelines.
Meanwhile, the mobile phone operators and other stakeholders have welcomed the move of opening doors for satellite internet as it would revolutionize data services in the country. They said the initiative might unlock new opportunities for bridging digital divides.
Meanwhile, operators aren’t authorized to provide direct-to-home (DTH) services, broadcasting services, satellite IMT-based services or telecommunications services. The application/processing fee has been set at Taka 5 lakh, with an acquisition fee of $10,000 and an annual fee of $50,000. Additionally, an annual station/terminal fee per terminal is set at $20.
The licensee will also have to share 5.5 percent of its annual audited gross revenue with the BTRC. Another 1 percent of the gross revenue must be paid as part of the “contribution to space industry development and management”. The licensee must establish at least one gateway system within Bangladesh before commencing services. However, the BTRC encouraged the licensee to establish additional gateways.
Any user terminal placed within Bangladesh’s geographical boundary must be authenticated and served through this local gateway. All traffic from these terminals must be routed through this local gateway for services within Bangladesh, according to the draft.
The NGSO gateway shall connect to international internet gateways to handle international internet data traffic.
Shahed Alam, chief corporate and regulatory officer of Robi Axiata, said, “We welcome the initiative to introduce satellite internet in our country, recognizing its potential to revolutionize data services.”
Taimur Rahman, chief corporate and regulatory affairs officer at Banglalink, said, “The regulator’s initiative to conduct a public consultation before introducing this new service is commendable, which we appreciate.”
Sharfuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Head of Communications, Grameenphone, said, “Grameenphone welcomes any new technology that brings positive change to people’s lives, society, the economy, and the country as a whole.”
ISPAB President Md Emdadul Hoque said they always welcome new technologies if those are suitable for the country and industry as a whole.