Broadband plans may soon bundle OTT services in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is moving toward a more integrated digital experience, as the telecom regulator plans to bring broadband internet and OTT streaming services under a single package.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is considering a proposal to allow internet service providers (ISPs) to bundle subscriptions to platforms like Netflix and Chorki with monthly broadband bills. The idea is to simplify access while potentially reducing overall costs for users.

Two ISPs—Race Online Limited and ICC Communication Limited—have submitted proposals to the regulator.

Race Online suggests an “Orbit Internet Package,” combining internet speed tiers with talk time, e-health services, and OTT subscriptions.
ICC Communication proposes a flexible pricing model where users can choose how many OTT platforms to include, with costs varying accordingly.

Both models aim to offer more value-packed and customizable internet plans.

BTRC is not rushing to approve individual proposals. Instead, it plans to develop a unified policy applicable to all ISPs.

According to BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd.) Emdad Ul Bari, coordination among regulators, telecom operators, and service providers will be essential to remove existing barriers.

Notably:

Local OTT platforms may be bundled without extra approval if they stay within approved pricing limits.
Foreign platforms will require separate approval, considering legal status, taxation, and revenue-sharing issues.

Globally, bundling OTT services with internet packages is already common. In countries like India, companies such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel offer similar deals with platforms like Amazon Prime Video.

BTRC believes adopting this model in Bangladesh could:Increase competition between ISPs and mobile operators.
Offer more affordable and diverse digital services.Improve user convenience with a single billing system.

Despite the potential benefits, some concerns remain:There’s no clear pricing guideline yet for the OTT portion.Risks of hidden or inflated costs within broadband packages.Regulatory complexity for international platforms.

If implemented effectively, bundled broadband and OTT services could reshape how Bangladeshis consume digital content—making streaming more accessible while driving innovation in the telecom sector.