BTRC fixes minimum broadband charges

The telecom regulator yesterday fixed the prices for broadband internet connections.

The monthly cost of a connection with a minimum speed of 5 Mbps is Tk 500, 10 Mbps Tk 800 - 1,000, 20 Mbps Tk 1,100 - 1,200, according to the new decisions.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) fixed the rates after multiple meetings with International Internet Gateway, Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network, International Terrestrial Cable and Internet Service Providers.

The BTRC decisions were announced at an event titled One Country One Rate.

BTRC Director General Md Nasim Parvez said the new tariff will benefit broadband internet subscribers across the country and is expected to attract foreign investment by boosting coordination among local internet service providers.

The cellular data users outnumber the broadband internet users, but the latter use 58 percent of the country's total bandwidth.

BTRC Chairman Shyam Sunder Sikder presided over the function while Posts andTelecom Minister Mustafa Jabbar was present as the chief guest.