The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has taken initiative to give licence to local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) at nominal fees.

BTRC Chairman Maj Gen (Retd) Manjurul Alam made this announcement at a formal meeting with the representatives of local ISPs, Cyber Café and Cable Operator Association at the BTRC's office on Monday, said a press release.

A draft guideline in corporating the opinions of concerned stakeholders was placed in the meeting. Local ISPs supported the guideline which will bring local ISPs under BTRC's control.

The guideline will be put on the BTRC's web site (www.btrc.gov.bd) within two days for public opinion.

The draft will be finalised conforming to the opinions of the stakeholder.

According to the guideline, the licence holders would pay nominal annual fee on easy terms. An ISP could both provide internet service and operate Cyber Café under the licence. The licensed ISP would buy bandwidth from national and zonal ISP and reach the internet service to people.

"A good number of youths will get opportunity to do business in a legal way if local ISPs are given licence", Manjurul Alam said. This will also increase internet penetration, he added.

The BTRC Chairman warned that if anyone indulges in illegal activities, BTRC would take punitive action against the wrongdoer.