State Minister for Telecom Tarana Halim yesterday asked the telecom regulator to take steps to reduce internet prices, but increase speed and service quality.

During her first visit to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), Tarana urged officials to discipline the sector and attach importance to subscriber complaints.

"I want BTRC to do its job as a true regulator to create a real competitive market by ensuring a level-playing field for all operators."

Tarana held a meeting with the BTRC officials, where she inquired about its initiatives to ensure quality of telecom services and crack down on counterfeit handsets and illegal use of voice over internet protocol.

BTRC officials complained that the ministry officials show negligence in many of their recommendations.

The ministry would provide cooperation to empower the regulator, she added.

"I don't want to cut the regulator's authority, but it has to be kept in mind that the authority is not misused."

Speaking on the much-talked-about 'dot.bangla' domain, Tarana said it is now ready for use; she prefers to launch the domain on February 21, International Mother Language Day, instead of December 16.

Shahjahan Mahmood, chairman of BTRC, said the regulator might attain the vision of the government if its freedom is ensured. Shawkat Mostafa, acting secretary of telecom division, also spoke.