Page 85 - SAMENA Trends - August-September 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Bangladesh Overhauls Telecom Licensing with New Unified Policy

The Bangladesh Telecommunication recognized for the first time, potentially
Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has opening the market to new entrants. Foreign
begun drafting new guidelines under ownership caps vary: mobile operators may
the Telecommunications Network and have up to 85% foreign investment (with at
Licensing Policy, formally replacing the least 15% held locally), infrastructure firms
outdated International Long-Distance up to 65%, and international connectivity
Telecommunication Service (ILDTS) providers up to 49%. Companies have
Policy of 2010. The new framework three years to comply with these rules.
simplifies licensing by reducing more The policy sets ambitious targets for fiber
than a dozen categories to four main connectivity and service quality, mandating
types: access networks (such as mobile that half of all mobile towers be linked to
and broadband operators), national fiber within 18 months and 80% within three
infrastructure (including towers and fiber years. It also requires disaster-prone areas
networks), international connectivity (such to maintain backup power on at least a
as submarine cables), and non-terrestrial quarter of towers. BTRC plans to introduce
networks. A fifth category, telecom-enabled a National Quality of Service Dashboard
services, will only require registration. to monitor coverage, speed, and reliability
Existing license types like IGW, ICX, IIG, in real time. To curb market dominance,
and NIX will be phased out by 2027. the regulator gains new powers to identify
Designed to attract foreign investment operators with significant market power
and streamline governance, the policy (SMP) and impose remedies such as
adopts a technology-neutral approach, tariff controls, infrastructure sharing,
allowing operators to choose and innovate and stricter transparency requirements. surveillance oversight, clarifying that lawful
across emerging areas such as IoT, Environmental measures are also included, interception of communications can only
private 5G and 6G networks, blockchain, mandating renewable energy adoption, occur with valid legal authorization under
and quantum computing. Mobile virtual e-waste management, and reduced carbon judicial or quasi-judicial mandates.
network operators (MVNOs) are officially emissions. The policy further tightens

Sri Lanka Launches National Cyber Protection Strategy to Safeguard Digital

Future

Sri Lanka has officially rolled out its Anura Kumara Dissanayake presided with the Ministry of Digital Economy and
National Cyber Protection Strategy over the launch event, underscoring the with technical support from the World
(2025–2029), a five-year plan designed government’s commitment to securing Bank, the strategy outlines key objectives
to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity national digital infrastructure. Developed including: Establishing a robust legal and
framework and support its digital by the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency administrative framework for cybersecurity.
economic transformation. President Readiness Team (SLCERT) in collaboration Developing a skilled cybersecurity
workforce equipped with advanced
knowledge and expertise. Enhancing
public awareness around digital safety and
cyber threats.As part of the initiative, the
government also inaugurated the National
Cybersecurity Operations Center, which will
provide 24/7 monitoring of 37 institutions
managing critical digital infrastructure
to detect and respond to potential
cyberattacks. President Dissanayake
emphasized that cybersecurity is now
central to national security, economic
stability, and citizens’ quality of life, noting
that the new framework will help shield the
nation from growing digital threats while
enabling inclusive digital growth.
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