They said the nationwide telecom transmission network (NTTN) operating companies are charging the local ISPs (internet service providers) arbitrarily highly while the ISPs are in turn passing it on to the end users.
This chain of overpaying is perpetuated by the absence of a specific policy or even any rules and regulations in this regard.
Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association (BMPCA) organised the seminar titled: “Role and Challenge of NTTN Operators: Ways to Overcome” at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Monday.
BMPCA President Mohiuddin Ahmed made a keynote presentation at the seminar which was also addressed, among others, by Chief Coordinator of Gano Sanghati Andolon Zonayed Saki, Moinul Haque Siddiqui, chairman of FiberHome, which claims to have been the first NTTN operator in the country, former director of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Dr. Quamruzzaman, and Power Grid Company of Bangladesh director M Ashraf Hossain.
Presenting the keynote paper, Mohiuddin Ahmed alleged that BTRC had failed to execute its regulatory role of settling the tariff issues between the NTTN operators and local ISPs.
As a result, the consumers are forced to keep paying higher rates even after the government took steps to reduce the overall cost of availing internet services, he said.
He also observed that only 5 percent of the ISPs are using the network of two NTTN service operators, with most setting up their own networks using overhead cables which pose hazards to residents where they are used.
“This indiscipline in overhead cables is posing a great threat to the environment,” Mohiuddin also said.
According to Mohiuddin, only BTRC has the authority to settle the issue by formulating a specific policy guideline that both sides will then be obliged to follow.
Zonayed Saki said the BTRC officials have no sense of responsibility for ensuring proper telecom services towards the people.
“That’s why they are not interested to settle the issue,” Saki observed.
Moinul Haque Siddiqui said that the NTTN companies are now working to achieve the government’s targets geared to what is known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution – the idea that the original Industrial Revolution, which was tied to the invention of the steam engine in the 18th century and generally led to huge advances in manufacturing processes – has since gone on to encompass two more periods of massive transformation and growth, and the world is currently in the throes of a Fourth such period.