"From now on, subscribers will get 10 Mbps speed service with an internet package of Tk 500, which was 5 Mbps earlier. This decision will be effective from today,” ISPAB President Md Emdadul Hoque said at a roundtable discussion titled "Internet Services: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward” on Saturday (April 19).

Telecom and Technology Reporters' Network Bangladesh (TRNB) organised the event at the BTRC Auditorium in the capital's Agargaon.

Emdadul noted that ISPAB aims to set 20 Mbps as the minimum broadband speed. However, achieving this goal requires a licence upgrade, he said, adding, "To attract investment, the licence validity should be extended to 10 years."

The ISPAB President said an investor can't start a business with a five-year licence with a prior guarantee of investment; rather, a ten-year term will encourage this investment.

At the same time, Chief Adviser's Special Assistant on Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, who was present as the chief guest at the event, welcomed the decision.

"You (ISPAB) will have to monitor whether everyone is providing internet at this price,” Taiyeb said.

After the event, he wrote on a Facebook post, "According to the commitments made by ISPAB, customers will now receive 10 Mbps internet speed with a Tk 500 package. This marks a significant step toward phasing out the recognition of 5 Mbps as a minimum broadband speed."

"We aim to ensure a minimum speed of 20 Mbps as soon as possible. To achieve this, policy reforms are being initiated to provide the necessary support, such as active infrastructure sharing, for broadband internet providers," he wrote.

"The black policy of internet shutdown will be abolished so the chances to shut down internet services can be stopped forever. At the same time, the internet will be declared a citizen's right,” the post read further.

Mentioning that the licensing categories will be reduced to three, he said the network and licensing structure of the telecommunications sector will be prepared by next June.

In his speech as a special guest, BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd) Md Emdad-ul-Bari said, "Those who provide fixed broadband services will not be able to provide wireless services, and those who provide wireless services will not be able to provide fixed broadband services."

Robi's Company Secretary and Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer Shahed Alam said, "If we can make ISPs bigger in the fixed broadband market, then more investment will come in this sector. If incentives can be given in this market, then it is possible to bring a healthy investment in the fixed broadband sector."

Banglalink's Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer Taimur Rahman said, "Customers do not pay separate bills for mobile and broadband abroad. We can also implement this in Bangladesh."

"If everyone, including ISPs, works together, it is possible to provide quality services,” he said.

Telecommunication expert Mustafa Mamun Hossain said, "Mobile operators are making profits. The profit percentage of mobile operators in Bangladesh is much higher compared to foreign countries."