Mohiuddin Ahmed, President of Bangladesh Cellphone Consumers Association, said that not only should the price of the Internet be reduced; it must be standardized. Digital discrimination must be eliminated. Therefore, VAT-tax should be moderated to reduce the cost of the internet to include those who have not yet had the opportunity to use the internet.
He said these things at the discussion meeting titled 'BTRC Empowerment, Telecommunication Regulation Act Amendment 2010 and Current Context' held at Dhaka Reporters Unity Auditorium in the capital on Saturday (October 19).
He also said, we are neither digital nor smart. We are at the level of Africa. A little above Afghanistan. Even though the days of voice are over, the country's mobile operators still get 50-60 percent of their revenue from here. Telecommunication policies need to be updated now to provide quality service.
Mohiuddin Ahmed said the internet was shut down during the uprising. We want the interim government to declare the internet as a basic human right very soon with that education. We hope that ISPs or Telecoms will never side with the government and shut down the internet. That is why BTRC should also be brought under accountability.
The meeting was presided over by Mohiuddin Ahmed, president of Bangladesh Mobile Consumers Association, and telecommunication and technology analyst Fida Haque, Mostafa Mahmud Hussain, IIGAB joint general secretary Maktabar Rahman, ISPAB president Imdadul Haque, barrister Sunny Abdul Haque, advocate Israt Hasan, CPB secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince were the speakers in the meeting. Prince, Senior Director of Technical Regulations and Communication Department of Robi Aziata Limited Anamika Bhakta, former Director of Competition Commission Khaled Abu Nasser and others.
Among them, IIGIB Joint General Secretary Maktabar Rahman called for a stakeholder meeting to establish the rights of telecom sector consumers. On the other hand, Anamika Bhakta said that although Robi invests a huge amount of money every year, the profit is not more than 3 percent. As a result it becomes difficult to maintain standards. Therefore, he expressed hope that the government will pay attention to this aspect.
Fida Haque said that it is important to rationalize the price of data and reorganize the internet infrastructure. Easily accessible and equally dynamic internet in all parts of the country is our life line. The days of voice and SMS are over. So data needs to be given utmost importance.
Abu Nasser said, we have to clarify first whether BTRC will collect revenue or ensure service. Competition should be created to break the monopoly of this market. Here surprisingly only one company Aakash has been licensed. BTRC has to play a role in this area to reduce corruption and dictatorship. Inequality will decrease only if institutions are strong.
In the president's speech, Mohiuddin Ahmed said that the internet was shut down during the mass uprising. We want the interim government to declare the internet as a basic human right soon after learning that. Let's hope ISPs or Telecoms never side with the government, never shut down the internet. BTRC should be brought under accountability.
Didarul Bhuiyan of the Rastra Sangstha Andolon, Bachchu Bhuiyan, Dhaka Metropolitan President of the Gana Sanghati Andolon, Advocate Yarul Islam, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Dhaka and General Secretary of Bangladesh Congress, etc. also spoke.