The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has initiated discussions with the country’s government after receiving an application to utilise the neighbouring country as a transit point for supplying bandwidth to India’s Northeast.
Summit Communications, a leading international terrestrial cable (ITC) operator, has approached Bangladesh to facilitate the transmission of bandwidth from Singapore to India’s Northeastern region via the Akhaura border, in collaboration with Bharti Airtel.
The proposal, which involves establishing an international private leased circuit using Bangladesh soil as a transit route, seeks to enhance internet connectivity in seven Northeastern states.
Presently, these states are connected to Singapore through submarine cables via Chennai, with significant latency and cost challenges due to the geographical terrain.
Recognising these hurdles, Summit Communications proposed a more efficient route through Bangladesh, leveraging the country’s strategic geographical position.
“This initiative holds the promise of not only strengthening regional connectivity but also unlocking new avenues for Bangladesh to export bandwidth to neighbouring countries,” Md Arif Al Islam, Managing Director of Summit Communications, told a Bangladesh daily.
However, this proposal has sparked debates regarding its compliance with existing regulatory frameworks and potential implications for Bangladesh’s bandwidth export initiatives.
Concerns have been raised about the legality of using Bangladesh as a transit point for bandwidth services and the possible diversion of imported bandwidth to India.
The issue has garnered attention at the highest levels of government, with the Foreign Ministry engaging in discussions and the Telecom Division being tasked with further examination.
However, no final decision has been reached yet, leaving the fate of Summit Communications’ proposal hanging in the balance.
While proponents argue that this initiative could bolster Bangladesh’s foreign exchange earnings and regional connectivity, skeptics caution against hastily undermining existing legal frameworks and compromising national interests.
“It’s imperative that any decision regarding the transit of bandwidth through Bangladesh be made with utmost caution and transparency, considering its far-reaching implications,” Abu Saeed Khan, a senior policy fellow at LIRNEasia, told the daily.
As stakeholders await a resolution, the telecom industry braces for potential shifts that could redefine regional connectivity dynamics and shape Bangladesh’s role in the evolving digital landscape of South Asia.
