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Local handset manufacturing is among the key issues under discussion as the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) continues its 309th Commission Meeting for a second consecutive day, alongside a broad range of telecom policy and regulatory reforms.
The meeting, chaired by BTRC Chairman Major General Md. Emdad Ul Bari (Retd.), began on July 27 and resumed on July 28.
According to sources, the meeting was attended by BTRC Vice Chairman Md. Abu Bakar Siddique, Spectrum Division Commissioner Mahmud Hossain, Engineering and Operations Division Commissioner Brigadier General Iqbal Ahmed, Legal and Licensing Division Commissioner Abdur Rahman Sarder, as well as other department heads and senior officials.
The commission is reviewing 35 major agenda items aimed at strengthening and modernizing Bangladesh’s telecommunications sector.
One of the key agenda items is the promotion of local handset manufacturing through the proposed Category-A enlistment certification for Billion10 Communications Limited, which would allow the company to locally assemble “Geo” brand smartphones.
The meeting is also considering amendments to the Telecommunications Network and Licensing Policy 2025, procurement for hardware replacement and maintenance of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system under the BTRC’s revenue budget, and new guidelines for internet service providers (ISPs) offering bundled over-the-top (OTT) and digital services with internet packages.
Other important issues include proposed changes to the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) porting window, approval of an information system audit for Banglalink covering 2020–2024, and a review of outstanding dues from ICX and MNP operators.
Telecom industry stakeholders are optimistic that the two-day meeting will result in business-friendly decisions, particularly in areas such as local handset manufacturing, digital service innovation, licensing reforms and consumer-focused telecom policies, which are expected to support the country’s digital transformation and industry growth.