BTRC plans to include in SOF all its licencees

The telecom regulator is planning to bring all its licencees under the purview of the Social Obligation Fund (SOF) to spread technology to the remotest corner of Bangladesh.
The country's mobile network operators (MNOs) have been contributing to the fund since its formation in 2011. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) now wants to include the rest of around 3,000 licencees in the fund.

According to the officials concerned, the telecom regulator wants to boost the fund, which is currently worth around Tk 24 billion.
Recently the BTRC has sent letters to its licencees, seeking their opinions on inclusion in the fund within 15 days.
The nationwide telecommunication transmission network (NTTN), internet service provider (ISP) and international gateway (IGW) operators confirmed The Financial Express about receiving such letter.
Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) Secretary General Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan said they would hold a meeting soon and then reply to the regulator.
However, general opinion of the ISPAB members so far is that they are against contributing to the fund.
"We can run activities under corporate social responsibility (CSR) or social obligation by ourselves, and the BTRC can take care of our activities," he added.
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