Instead of 5Mbps, internet subscribers across the country will receive 10 Mbps speed for Tk 500, the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) announced.

"Now, customers will get 10 Mbps speed instead of the previous 5 Mbps under the Tk 500 package," ISPAB President Emdadul Haque said.

He made the remarks at a roundtable discussion, titled "Challenges, Opportunities, and Way Forward for Internet Services", organised by Telecom and Technology Reporters' Network at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) headquarters in Agargaon.

The announcement comes under the purview of the "One Country, One Rate" policy introduced by the BTRC in June 2021.

The policy mandated uniform pricing nationwide and included three packages: Tk 500 for 5 Mbps, Tk 800 for 10 Mbps, and Tk 1,200 for 20 Mbps.

With the amendment, the entry-level package will now provide double the speed for the same price.

In December last year, the BTRC proposed reducing broadband internet prices by up to 20 percent. However, the ISPAB disagreed with the proposal.

"Customers want quality of service; price doesn't matter here. That's why we have doubled the internet speed," Haque said.

At the event, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser with executive authority over the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and ICT, warned against attempts to influence policymaking with money.

He said businessmen should do business. "Don't go to political leaders or policymakers with bags of money. It's not sustainable."

Taiyeb said the malpractices that shaped past telecom policies must end, adding that influencing decisions with money would only harm businesses and the industry.

He revealed that several telecom licences would be scrapped as part of upcoming reforms, but existing businesses will have the opportunity to continue under stricter performance-based milestones and key performance indicators.

He also said a new telecom act is on the way.

He also highlighted the need for continuous monitoring of internet service quality, especially after ISPs recently announced a minimum speed of 10 Mbps.

"Some claim Bangladesh offers the cheapest internet in the region, but in terms of quality, it's among the worst. So, it's actually overpriced," he remarked.

Additionally, Taiyeb said investors must be assured that internet shutdowns are a thing of the past, adding that Bangladesh aims to be among the top 30 countries in global digital indices within two years.

BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd) Md Emdad Ul Bari echoed those sentiments.

He criticised the manipulation of the International Long Distance Telecommunications Services (ILDTS) policy, which was originally designed for accountability, network separation, and to curb illegal VoIP operations.

"In 2010, political interference overturned the policy framework, leading to unnecessary and politically motivated licensing," he said.

ISPs could have become a strong solution for SMEs, but political influence over ISP licensing requiring ISPAB membership hampered progress, he said.

He added that small businesses may no longer need licences but will instead undergo a registration process to open up the market further.