BTRC scraps licences of 32 internet providers over arrears

The telecom regulator today scrapped the licences of 32 district level internet service providers (ISPs) after they failed to pay the renewal fees on time.

All the licences cancelled by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) were category-C, reads a public notice by the regulator.

The licences of the ISPs expired between 2014 and 2019, though some of them are still providing services to customers.

In its notice issued today, the BTRC requested companies and individuals not to do business with those ISPs.

Officials of the telecom watchdog said they were axing different category ISPs licences over dues and condition violations, and at the same time they were also awarding a number of licences to expand broadband internet service across the country.

Currently there are 595 category-C licences across the country and total number of ISP licences stood at 1,985 in different categories.