Staff Correspondent

In line with the goals of the present interim government, the telecom regulator is working to cut internet prices to fulfill the requirement of the young folks, mastermind of the July mass-uprisings to topple an autocratic regime.

In the new Bangladesh, the regulator- Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) would also opt to review the current fragmented licensing structure of Bangladesh's internet ecosystem to ensure quality of services as well as introduce internet package for unlimited validity.

BTRC Chairman Maj Gen Md Emdad Ul Bari (retd) has vowed to ensure affordable, diverse and safe services, saying data prices have to be cut down as it is the key part of their desired service delivery in the new Bangladesh.

“We want to make the services as safe, affordable and diverse, and we will do whatever is required for it,” he said.

Emdad Ul Bari also said reducing data price is the key to delivering services, stating that “at the end of the day, data price must be cut down because it is part of our service delivery plan.”

In line with the BTRC’s move, International Internet Gateway Association of Bangladesh (IIGAB) has come up with a proposal to BTRC to reduce the price of internet bandwidth.

They said if this proposal is implemented, the cost of the internet would be reduced as they proposed to cut prices in various slabs compared to the existing price of bandwidth.

IIGAB President Aminul Hakim said, "We’ve taken this initiative to boost internet usage and increase internet users along with outreach internet at the grassroots level.”

Referring to the government’s desire to reduce the price of internet, he said, “We’ve taken initiatives in line with the government. If this initiative is implemented, the cost of the internet will come down allowing the users to avail internet at affordable price.”

If IIGAB's proposed price of bandwidth is implemented, internet service providers will be able to cut Taka 50-75 per mega bandwidth (in different slabs) or charge less from customers.

Meanwhile, state-owned mobile phone operator Teletalk has launched “Gen-Z” packages with data for unlimited period and year-long bundle offer for the young generation.

Inspired by the much highlighted word “Generation Z” during July's student-people mass uprising, Teletalk branded this package as “Gen-Z”.

The Gen-Z new package is priced at Taka 150. However, in the first 30 days, the customer can purchase the package at just Taka 100. The package comprised the lowest price in the market for unlimited data and annual bundle offers.

It has also 1 second pulse, affordable voice tariff and Premium Membership service for job seekers with free benefits of 12 months.

New customers can purchase SIM from Teletalk Customer Care and the current Teletalk users can receive Gen-Z package offers by registering on Myteletalk App from Google Play Store.

Apart from these, the government has taken several other initiatives for the convenience of the end users and the industry.

According to the official documents, the government is working to formulate a “bandwidth use policy” and 5G roll out, while has plans to provide WiFi at low price to educational institutions.