BTRC to study telecom gaps in remote areas

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has decided to conduct a study to identify remote, hard-to-reach, underserved and disaster-prone areas where telecom services are inadequate or of poor quality and explore ways to ensure reliable, high-quality connectivity.

At a recent commission meeting, the telecom regulator gave in-principle approval to the proposed research and decided to form a committee to prepare a detailed research proposal within one month for submission to the BTRC chairman.

According to the documents, the study will identify areas with inadequate telecom coverage and assess local connectivity needs, while exploring possible approaches to ensure quality services in places where expanding mobile networks may not be commercially viable.

The initiative comes as the government seeks to ensure reliable and high-speed internet access for citizens across the country, including both urban and rural areas, under its election manifesto.

The government is also working on a connectivity master plan, while the Telecommunications Network and Licensing Policy, 2025, provides for spectrum-based incentives to expand networks in remote and underserved areas.

During the meeting, Brig Gen Mohammad Moniruzzaman Jewel, director general of the BTRC’s spectrum management division, presented a detailed proposal, highlighting the importance of quality telecom services in the daily lives of people across all sections of society.

He noted that reliable telecommunications are essential for the development of people living outside major urban centres. However, expanding quality mobile networks in remote and disadvantaged areas is often not commercially sustainable for operators.

As a result, he said, even where some network coverage exists, the quality and availability of services may not meet the government’s goal of ensuring high-speed, quality connectivity nationwide.

The proposed research will review international best practices to identify suitable approaches for addressing the problem, according to the meeting minutes.

The study is expected to examine the geographical extent of underserved areas, assess their telecommunications requirements and identify potential methods for delivering quality services.

The regulator said a systematic assessment is necessary to determine where network expansion is most needed and what measures could make service delivery viable in areas that operators may otherwise find commercially unattractive.

The proposed research will also take into account the government’s election manifesto, its plans for expanding telecommunications services, and existing laws and regulations.

Under the decision, the committee will be headed by a director general nominated by the BTRC chairman.

Representatives from the spectrum management, spectrum services, finance, accounts and revenue divisions, along with the legal wing, will serve as members.

An officer nominated by the chairman will act as the member secretary.

The commission’s decision marks an initial step towards developing a more targeted approach to expanding telecommunications services in areas where geographical challenges, disaster risks and limited commercial returns can discourage network investment.