The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has cancelled the VSAT provider licence of Bangladesh Export Import Co. Ltd. (BEXIMCO), declaring it expired and cautioning that any continued operation under the licence would be treated as illegal.
In a notification issued this week, the regulator said the licence, originally granted in November 2009, had lapsed and stood cancelled with the approval of the competent authority. It warned that any activities conducted under the expired licence would constitute a punishable offence under the Bangladesh Telecommunication Act, 2001.
The commission further directed the company to refrain from all VSAT-related operations and instructed stakeholders not to enter into any telecommunications agreements or financial transactions with the firm in relation to the cancelled licence. BEXIMCO has been asked to surrender the original licence document within ten days of the notice.
Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology is used to provide satellite-based communication services, particularly in remote areas, offshore installations, banking networks and disaster-prone regions where terrestrial connectivity may be unreliable. In Bangladesh, VSAT operations require a specific licence from the BTRC, which regulates frequency allocation, spectrum management and compliance obligations.
Licensing conditions typically include annual fees, spectrum charges, technical compliance and renewal requirements.
Failure to renew within stipulated timelines may result in suspension or cancellation.
BEXIMCO, once one of Bangladesh's largest conglomerates, has interests spanning pharmaceuticals, textiles, energy, financial services and media. The group, widely associated with its vice chairman Salman F Rahman, has long maintained a presence in the telecommunications and satellite services segment through its VSAT operations.
Over the years, the conglomerate has faced scrutiny in various sectors, including allegations of regulatory non-compliance and financial irregularities in unrelated business ventures. While the current BTRC notice cites licence expiry as the basis for cancellation, the move comes at a time when regulatory agencies have tightened enforcement against defaulters and non-compliant operators across sectors.
In recent years, BEXIMCO's broader business empire has experienced financial strain, including concerns raised by banks and regulators over loan exposures and corporate governance practices. Although these issues are distinct from the VSAT licence matter, analysts say the cancellation underscores heightened regulatory vigilance.
It remains unclear whether BEXIMCO will seek reinstatement, apply for a fresh licence, or legally challenge the decision. Under regulatory procedures, companies may petition the commission for review or reapply subject to compliance with outstanding obligations.
The BTRC has also instructed its enforcement and inspection wing to monitor any unauthorised continuation of services.
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