The Bangladesh Telecommunication Act 2001 requires a licence for establishing, operating or maintaining telecommunications systems and providing telecommunications services, subject to limited exemptions. In practice this covers mobile and fixed operators, internet service providers, transmission networks, international gateways, tower and infrastructure providers, satellite and cable services and several value-added services. Whether a particular digital or cloud service needs a licence depends on how it is delivered, who controls the network and who bills the customer. We analyse the service model under telecommunications law and confirm which licence, registration or partnership arrangement is required before the client invests in launching it.

The traditional layered structure of separate licences for gateways, exchanges, transmission networks and access services has been under review, with policy changes aimed at reducing licence tiers, encouraging competition and accommodating new technologies such as satellite broadband. Changes may affect licence categories, fees, ownership conditions and the services each licensee may provide. Transition arrangements for existing licensees are especially important, because rights and obligations may change mid-term. We monitor policy and BTRC directions, explain their practical impact on each client's licences and business model, and help plan applications, migrations and contractual adjustments under the evolving telecommunications law framework.

Foreign participation is possible but closely regulated. Under telecommunications law, some licence categories allow foreign ownership, sometimes subject to limits or conditions, while others are reserved or require local partners. Foreign providers of satellite, cloud or digital services may need a local licensed entity or partnership with an existing licensee. Investment should also be registered with Invest Bangladesh and brought in through banking channels to preserve repatriation rights. We confirm current ownership and licensing conditions, design a compliant market entry structure and handle applications and approvals, coordinating with the client's counsel abroad where needed.

Common risks include late or disputed payments of licence fees and revenue share, gaps in subscriber registration and verification, failure to meet quality of service or coverage obligations, operating unapproved equipment, unauthorised changes in ownership, and inadequate cooperation on lawful interception and reporting. BTRC audits can produce large claims covering several years of operations. Data protection and cyber security duties add further obligations, and directives are updated frequently. We review compliance against each licence and directive, help operators fix gaps before inspections and audits, and represent them when the regulator raises allegations under telecommunications law.

Take it seriously and respond in a structured way, within any deadline given. Review the claim against the licence, applicable directives and the operator's own records, identify errors in methodology, double counting, time-barred items and amounts already paid, and prepare a reasoned written response with supporting evidence. Early, well-documented engagement with the regulator often narrows the claim considerably. Where the claim remains excessive, options may include review by the Commission, negotiated payment arrangements, arbitration where available, or court proceedings, including writ petitions. We lead the legal response and coordinate with the client's finance and technical teams.

Most telecommunications and radio equipment requires type approval or a clearance from the BTRC before it can be imported, sold or used, and customs will usually require evidence of that clearance. Requirements depend on the equipment, frequency bands and intended use, and technical standards are updated periodically. Importing, selling or operating unapproved equipment can lead to seizure, penalties and difficulties with licence compliance. We advise vendors, operators and enterprise users on approval requirements, prepare applications and coordinate with customs, so that network rollouts and product launches are not delayed by equipment held at port awaiting telecommunications law clearances.

Operators hold very large volumes of sensitive subscriber data, including identity documents, biometric data, call records, location data and payment information. The Personal Data Protection Act 2026 requires a lawful basis for processing, transparency, security, limits on retention and sharing, respect for data subject rights and compliance with cross-border transfer rules. These duties sit alongside licence conditions on data retention and lawful access by authorities, which must be reconciled carefully, particularly when authorities request subscriber information. We help operators build practical data protection programmes that satisfy both the new Act and existing telecommunications law obligations.

Disputes between operators, such as those over interconnection, revenue sharing, tower access or capacity contracts, are often first raised with the counterparty and, where regulatory issues are involved, with the BTRC, which may issue directions or mediate. Commercial agreements commonly provide for arbitration, and some disputes reach the courts, sometimes alongside writ proceedings. Because operators usually depend on each other for ongoing services and network access, preserving the relationship matters as much as winning the point. We advise on negotiation strategy, regulatory engagement, arbitration and litigation, and draft agreements with clear dispute resolution mechanisms from the outset.