The letter sent to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) regarding the continuation of BTCL’s 5G Readiness Project is being misinterpreted, said Fayez Ahmed Tayeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Telecommunication Affairs.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday at the Foreign Service Academy, he emphasized that the ACC’s cooperation was sought in the interest of the nation—not for personal gain—as a halt in the project could cost the government Tk 600 crore.
Tayeb said that over the past 12 years, telecom businessmen with close links to the ruling Awami League have caused more than Tk 8,000 crore in revenue losses to the government. He also alleged that he has come under attack from vested interests for introducing the new telecommunications licensing policy, which is being falsely portrayed as a threat to domestic companies.
Project Delay Will Help Private Sector
Tayeb explained that the BTCL fiber network expansion and 5G readiness projects were initiated during the previous government’s term. “The tender process was influenced back then, and an L/C worth Tk 290 crore was already settled before I and Nahid Islam took charge,” he said. “Considering this, we consulted the ACC Chairman and requested that the project be allowed to proceed, since a substantial amount has already been spent.”
He warned that if the 5G project is not completed, a Tk 300 crore project aimed at strengthening BTCL’s capacity will become ineffective, potentially leading to BTCL losing competitiveness in the market—ultimately benefiting rival private operators. “That’s why we are taking a bold initiative in the interest of the nation,” he added.
New Licensing Policy Will Not Harm Local Companies
Addressing concerns that the new telecom licensing policy will harm domestic ICX and IGW investors, Tayeb said such claims are completely baseless. “No licenses will be revoked. However, existing licenses lack international recognition and the multi-layered system inflates call costs. In the new policy, these licenses will be phased out, but existing operators will be given priority in re-licensing if they invest anew,” he said.
He also noted that ICX and IGW licenses expiring around 2027 can continue operations under outsourcing arrangements if they wish. “So, the claim that domestic operators are being shut down is entirely misleading,” he stated.
Revenue Loss of Tk 8,000 Crore Over 12 Years
Highlighting past irregularities, Tayeb alleged that in 2013, under the leadership of Salman F Rahman, seven IGW operators formed a group called IOF (International Operators Forum) to control international call termination. BTRC and the Telecom Division endorsed IOF through a so-called pilot project that continued for 12 years. During this time, mobile operators were barred from directly terminating international calls.
“While IOF terminated calls at $0.03 per minute, it reported revenue at just $0.006. By 2024, the actual rate dropped to $0.001, but IOF kept declaring just $0.0004 per minute,” Tayeb claimed. “This manipulation caused the government to lose over Tk 8,000 crore in revenue—all of which went into the pockets of the Salman F Rahman group.”
Other officials present at the press conference included Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser; Shish Hayder Chowdhury, Secretary of the ICT Division; and Md. Zahurul Islam, Secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division.