The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has approved a study to identify gaps in telecom services across remote, underserved, and disaster-prone areas of the country. The initiative aims to assess regions where connectivity is inadequate or of poor quality and to explore potential solutions for delivering reliable, high-quality telecommunications.

The decision was made during a recent BTRC commission meeting, where members gave in-principle approval for the proposed research. A committee will be formed to develop a comprehensive research proposal within one month for submission to the BTRC chairman. The study will focus on mapping underserved areas, evaluating their specific connectivity needs, and investigating methods to improve service quality in locations where commercial expansion by mobile operators may not be financially viable.

Brig Gen Mohammad Moniruzzaman Jewel, director general of the BTRC’s spectrum management division, emphasized the necessity of high-quality telecom services for all segments of the population, particularly those living outside major urban centers. He acknowledged that while network coverage may exist in some remote areas, service quality often falls short of government targets for nationwide high-speed connectivity due to commercial limitations faced by operators.

The initiative aligns with broader government objectives outlined in its current election manifesto, which stresses the importance of providing reliable and high-speed internet access throughout Bangladesh’s urban and rural regions. It also supports the development of a national connectivity master plan and complements provisions in the Telecommunications Network and Licensing Policy, 2025, which includes spectrum-based incentives to encourage network expansion in less accessible areas.

According to BTRC documents, the research will draw on international best practices to identify effective approaches to addressing telecom service deficiencies in challenging environments. The study will evaluate the geographical scope of underserved areas, determine their telecommunications requirements, and analyze potential delivery mechanisms that could overcome the commercial challenges operators face.

The newly established committee will be led by a director general appointed by the BTRC chairman and will include representatives from the spectrum management, spectrum services, finance, accounts, and revenue divisions, as well as the commission’s legal department. An officer designated by the chairman will serve as the committee’s member secretary.

This systematic assessment represents an initial step toward a more strategic framework for expanding telecommunications services across Bangladesh, particularly in regions where geographical obstacles, disaster vulnerability, and limited commercial returns have hindered investment and network development.