Demand for Minimum Broadband Internet Package at 800 Taka for 50 Mbps in Bangladesh
Published: 28 June 2025
The internet is now a part of our daily life. From offices to schools and even homes, we cannot think of aBangladesh ISPs day without it. In Bangladesh, broadband internet is one of the most used services. Many companies work to deliver internet services across the country. These companies are known as Internet Service Providers (ISP).
Recently, the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) has made a strong demand. They want to fix the minimum broadband internet package at 800 taka for 50 Mbps speed. This demand has become a hot topic in the telecommunication sector of Bangladesh.
Table of Contents
Background of Internet Pricing in Bangladesh
In June 2021, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) started the “One Country One Rate” policy. According to this policy, all ISPs across the country had to provide internet services at the same price.
Under this policy, there were three packages:
- 5 Mbps internet speed for a maximum of 500 taka per month.
- Later, the government asked ISPs to reduce this price to 400 taka.
Although this policy was created to help users get affordable internet, many ISP companies faced losses. TBangladesh ISPshe operational costs, taxes, and NTTN service charges are very high in Bangladesh. Because of this, ISPs could not continue services smoothly at low prices.
ISPAB’s New Demands
On Saturday, 28 June 2025, a workshop was held at the Retired Armed Forces Officers Welfare Association (RAOWA) Club in Mohakhali, Dhaka. The program was organized by Telecom Reporters’ Network Bangladesh (TRNB).
At this event, ISPAB leaders talked about their problems and presented their demands. They mentioned seven important points. Among these, the most talked about was:
Minimum broadband package should be fixed at 800 taka for 50 Mbps speed.
The other six demands are:
- Set a floor price (minimum price) for internet packages.
- Allow active infrastructure sharing between ISPs.
- Keep last-mile connectivity in the hands of ISPs.
- Reduce the NTTN service charges to a single digit.
- Cancel the Social Obligation Fund (SOF) and revenue-sharing system.
- Ensure protection for local entrepreneurs in the ISP business.
Why Are They Making This Demand?
ISPAB believes that the newly proposed Telecom Network Policy 2025 will create a big crisis for private internet businesses. They said that it is not possible to give the best internet services at cheap rates.
Aminul Haque, the president of ISPAB, explained this in the workshop. He said, “Providing high-speed internet at a lower price is not realistic. It has now become a tool for cheap politics. If the government does not offer tax benefits and other exemptions, private ISPs won’t be able to reduce internet prices.”
He also added that the government takes around 60% of tax and revenue from the ISP sector. If costs remain so high, it is impossible to provide high-speed internet at a lower price to users.
What Is Active Sharing and Why It Matters?
During the workshop, Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan, the General Secretary of ISPAB, gave a clear example. He talked about the benefits of active infrastructure sharing.
He said, “Due to the lack of active sharing, a lot of money is wasted in the country. To solve this, we set up a 1 Gbps common cable line in Dhanmondi. Through this line, 77 ISP companies are now providing high-speed internet together. This method saves money and increases the quality of service.”
This example proves that active sharing can reduce internet costs and improve connectivity across different parts of the country.
Impact of Proposed Telecom Policy
The ISP sector has been growing in Bangladesh for the past 27 years. But now, ISPAB claims the proposed policy will create the biggest crisis the sector has ever seen.
Aminul Haque said, “If this new policy is passed, many local internet entrepreneurs may have to shut down their businesses. Large companies will dominate the market, and it will reduce fair competition. At the end of the day, internet users will suffer.”
Many small and medium-sized ISPs fear that new rules will increase operational costs. Without government support, they won’t be able to survive in business.
Government’s Role in Internet Pricing
In most countries, governments offer tax benefits to internet service providers. This helps companies reduce their internet package prices. In Bangladesh, however, the high tax rate (around 60%) creates extra pressure on ISPs.
ISPAB believes that if the government removes extra taxes, cancels the revenue-sharing system, and reduces NTTN charges, then the price of internet services can naturally come down. They also requested the government to give importance to local entrepreneurs and their business sustainability.
Public Reaction to This Demand
Many internet users in Bangladesh welcomed this demand. They said that a 50 Mbps package at 800 taka would be a better option than the current low-speed packages.
Office workers, students, freelancers, and online businesses need fast and reliable internet services. A stable 50 Mbps connection would improve video calls, online classes, freelancing jobs, and YouTube streaming experiences.
However, some users also expressed concern. They fear that fixing a minimum price might reduce competition among ISPs, and some people who need lower-speed packages might lose cheaper options.
What Happens Next?
Right now, the demand is under discussion. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology will review the demands.
They will check if it is possible to reduce taxes, change NTTN service rates, and cancel revenue sharing. If the government agrees, a new internet pricing system might be introduced soon.
Conclusion
The demand for a minimum broadband internet package of 800 taka for 50 Mbps has become a major issue in Bangladesh’s internet industry.
ISPs claim it is impossible to continue internet services at extremely low rates while paying high taxes and service charges. They also believe that the new telecom policy will create huge problems for small businesses.
If the government supports ISPs by reducing taxes, lowering NTTN charges, and allowing active infrastructure sharing, it might be possible to offer high-speed, low-cost internet to users.
At the end of the day, a fair and balanced decision is needed — one that benefits both the internet users and service providers of Bangladesh.
