Telecom regulator BTRC has sought public opinion to finalize the draft guidelines for launching satellite internet in the country. Officials related to this process said that this step of launching satellite internet will help in backhauling, disaster management and use of customer data as well as opening new doors in bridging the digital divide.
Through this, Elon Musk's Starlink and other leading companies in the world can enter the Bangladesh market.
The regulatory body Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) published the draft regulatory and licensing guidelines for NGSO satellite service operators on its website on October 29. Comments have been sought by November 18 to finalize the guidelines.
The country's mobile phone operators and other stakeholders have welcomed the move to launch satellite internet as it will revolutionize data services in the country. According to them, this initiative can open up new opportunities in bridging the digital divide.
According to the draft guidelines, proprietorships, partnerships and companies registered under the Companies Act 1994 under the 'Joint Stock Company and Firm Registrar' can apply for licenses to construct, own, maintain and operate NGSO satellite systems and services in Bangladesh.
Provided further, NGSO satellite systems and services can be constructed, owned, maintained and operated through 100 percent FDI or foreign partnership or joint venture or investment from non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs). As per the draft guidelines, the license will be valid for five years.
It further states that the licensee shall be authorized to provide the following NGSO satellite services: broadband internet services, internet services (domestic data communications), internet of things and machine-to-machine connectivity, earth station in motion services, earth exploration satellite services, remote sensing. and meteorological services and any other services approved by BTRC.
However, operators are not permitted to provide direct-to-home services, broadcast services, satellite IMT-based services or telecommunication services.
The application or processing fee for this service is fixed at Tk 5 lakh, of which the acquisition fee is US$ 10,000 and the annual fee is US$ 50,000. In addition, an annual station/terminal fee of $20 has been fixed.
The licensee shall pay 5.5 percent of its annual audited gross revenue to BTRC. A further 1 per cent of the gross revenue is to be contributed as part of the mandatory 'contribution to the development and management of space industry'.
Licensee must set up at least one gateway system within Bangladesh before commencing service. However, BTRC is encouraging licensees to set up additional gateways.
Any user terminal placed within the geographical boundaries of Bangladesh must be served through this local gateway. According to the draft all traffic from these terminals for services within Bangladesh must go through these local gateways.
The NGSO Gateway will connect to the International Internet Gateway to handle international Internet data traffic.
Shahed Alam, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer, Robi Aziat said, 'We welcome the initiative to launch satellite internet in the country as a recognition of its potential to revolutionize data services.'
This advance could pave the way for new opportunities in areas such as backhauling, disaster management and use of customer data, he noted.
Banglalink Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer Taimur Rahman said, 'We think the regulator's initiative to consult the public before launching this new service is commendable. We appreciate this initiative.'
He further said, 'We believe this public consultation process will be helpful in shaping its future direction.'
Grameenphone Head of Communications Sharfuddin Ahmed Chowdhury said, 'Grameenphone welcomes any new technology capable of bringing positive changes in people's lives, society, economy and the country as a whole.'
He further said, 'Any new license should ensure non-discriminatory treatment. Through which there is competition between all those who are currently in the market including those who come to the new market.
The Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB), a platform for companies engaged in providing Internet services to consumers, is also ready to welcome any new technology. They emphasized on first identifying the need for this technology before going ahead with it.
ISPAB president. Emdadul Haque said, 'They always welcome new technology if it is suitable for the country and the industry.'
He said, 'We have no objection to welcome new technology, but we should first consider whether the technology is useful for the country and the people.'
