BTRC drafts Nat'l Broadband Policy 2024

The telecom regulator, BTRC, has drafted the 'National Broadband Policy 2024' with the aim of ensuring affordable universal access to high-speed broadband connectivity, fostering economic growth, social inclusion, and innovation to create a digitally empowered and prosperous nation.
The policy sets a target to provide broadband connectivity to 100 per cent of villages and homes in the country by 2031, according to the draft policy.
The draft policy was opened for public and stakeholder consultation on Wednesday and invited everyone to submit comments until March 26.
After consultation, it will be finalised, and once this policy comes into effect, the National Broadband Policy 2009 will cease to exist.
When contacted, Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) President Md Emdadul Hoque said they would provide comments after reviewing the draft policy.
The policy sets a target for 100 per cent of the population to have access to mobile broadband (4G+) by 2031.
It also sets targets for 100 percent fiberization of telecom towers and penetration of smart devices.
The policy proposes developing a roadmap to connect every village with a high-speed broadband network, which will include the medium of connectivity, timeline for connectivity, and bandwidth to be allocated to every village.
The draft states it would improve Bangladesh's position in the ranking of Global ICT Indicators to G2 status by 2025, G4 by 2031, and G5 by 2041.
It also plans to develop tower and fiber backbone sharing and wholesale access principles, and a reasonable pricing policy on a transparent and non-discriminatory basis.
The policy will define terms and conditions for access to roads, power utility infrastructure, transport, roads and highways, rail buildings, and public lands, among other resources.
It stresses implementing measures to reduce reliance on expensive international bandwidth by promoting domestic internet exchange points (IXPs) and regional peering arrangements to facilitate direct interconnection between local networks.
The policy emphasizes ensuring common international gateways to manage all international traffic originating and terminating in the country and establishing interconnection between Internet exchange points to ensure that all domestic traffic remains within the country.
The policy suggests offering tax breaks, subsidies, or other financial incentives to private partners participating in PPP projects, especially those focusing on underserved areas.
It would also establish clear and efficient dispute resolution mechanisms to address potential conflicts or disagreements between public and private partners during project implementation.

[email protected]