Industry leaders on Sunday said the new telecom policy poses a serious threat to small and medium-sized internet service providers (ISPs), potentially endangering domestic investment in the sector.

They expressed concerns at a view-sharing meeting organised by the Telecom and Technologies Reporters Network, Bangladesh (TRNB), held on Saturday at the Rawa Complex in Dhaka.

Speakers at the event said that only a few amendments to the policy could significantly improve the outlook for local entrepreneurs.

Aminul Hakim, president of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB), said the association had already submitted its observations to all relevant government stakeholders.

“We will soon raise the issue with the chief adviser,” he said. “If our demands are not met, and domestic entrepreneurs are not protected, we will be forced to pursue legal action.”

Asif Rabbani, president of the IGW Operators Forum (IOF), criticised the policy for favouring a select group.

“The new policy has been designed to serve group interests, leaving no space for local entrepreneurs,” he said. “Once again, efforts are underway to protect powerful 'godfathers' through VoIP services.”

He also said that the policy has ignored the needs and problems of small operators.

Fuad Muhammad Sharfuddin, joint secretary general of ISPAB, said the clauses related to fairness and effectiveness in the policy were vague and lacked clarity.

“We’ve proposed amendments to seven specific clauses. One major issue is the permission granted to CMSPs to operate both cable and wireless networks, without ensuring protection for existing FPSP investments,” he said.

He also criticised the provision that restricts digital services by ISPs at the district level, calling it a form of consumer discrimination that must be removed.

“The NICSP should only be allowed to install cables in black spots,” he added. “Otherwise, the monopoly of a select group will continue. The policy must be implemented based on transparency and fairness.”

The meeting was chaired by TRNB President Sameer Kumar Dey and moderated by General Secretary Masuduzzaman Robin.

Saiful Islam Siddique, Senior Vice President of ISPAB, Nazmul Karim Bhuiyan, General Secretary of ISPAB, and Mostafizur Rahman, President of the Association of ICX Operators of Bangladesh (AIOB) also spoke.