3. THE POLICY OBJECTIVES:
3.1. Exchange of Information.
3.2 Promotion of National Integration:
3.3 Universal Access.
3.4 Digitalization.
3.5 Competitive Framework.
3.6 Private Sector Development.
3.7 Resource Mobilization.
3.8 Liberalized Tariff Policy .
3.9 Access to New Technology.
3.10 Private Sector Investment.
3.11 Foreign Investment.
3.12 Implementation Strategy .
3.13 Human Resource Development.
3.14 Defense and Security.
3.15 Information Technology.
3.16 Local Manufacturing.
3.17 Regulatory Framework.
3.18 Protection of users’ Interest and Service Standards,.
The policy document , upholding the commitment of Government to resolve the prevailing shortcomings, outlines the objectives, strategies and other related aspects of telecommunications. The policy is formulated to ensure the orderly and rapid growth of telecommunications services, both in quality and quantity and the use of telecommunications technology in order to support the socio-economic development , in line with the national aspirations . The objectives of the National Telecommunications policy , inter alia, include.
3.1 Exchange of Information : The freedom for exchange of information is recognized as an important element of human rights and efforts are to be made to provide people with greater access to all informations except the ones that are considered harmful to the society, prejudicial to national interest and security.
3.2 Promotion of National Integration: Telecommunications are to promote national integration and to safeguard the social and cultural fabric of the nation by directing the expected influence of the technology towards the greater benefit of the society.
3.3 Universal Access: Access to and delivery of a full range of modern, sophisticated, efficient and cost effective services of both basic1 as well as value added2 telecommunications are to be provided to as many people as is economically and socially justifiable to ensure universal access3.
3.4 Digitalization: Replace of all analogue switching equipment by the year 2002 and analogue transmission equipment by 2005 . This will improve existing and potential telecommunications service for both basic and value added services. In addition to improving the quality and reliability of the telecommunications infrastructure, full digitalization will facilitate a quicker and easier interface mechanism for all private and public operators.
1 refers to local exchange residence and business telephone service and telegraph service without additional features and any other services defined as such in future.
2 5 refers generally to the services such as (i) Electronic Mail, (ii) Voice Mail ,(iii) Data
Services ,(iv) Audio Text Services, (v) Video Text Services, (vi) Video Conferencing, (vii) Radio Paging, (viii) Cellular Mobile Telephones, (ix) Facsimile, (x) Global System for Mobile GSM, (xi) Global Mobile Personal Communication by satellite (GMPCS) and any other future services to come.
3 refers to the availability of reliable and affordable telecommunications services in both urban and rural areas of the country.
3.5 Competitive Framework: Creation of an environment of competition in the field of telecommunications enhancing rapid development in volume, efficiency and accessibility , shall be ensured to make telecom services available within the affordable limit of the general users.
3.5.1 Market Oriented Regime: Telecommunications Services are to be efficiently and cost- effectively provided in particular fields, to be decided by the Government from time to time, by establishing market oriented regime, appropriate sets of regulations, standards, procedures, conditions and investment climate & competition.
3.5.2 Users’ Choice: Development of telecommunications facilities and services shall be user friendly. The users shall have multiple choices for access to networks & markets of different services, systems and carriers at a competitive and reasonable price.
3.6 Private Sector Development : The Government has opened the telecommunications market to the private sector. The Government acknowledges the private sector’s increasing resolve and ability to meet the growth demands of the country, as well as the fact that the private sector will become a much stronger force in telecommunications development in the coming years. The Government will provide all assistance to make the private sector more vibrant and robust in keeping with their anticipated role in the coming years.
3.7 Resource Mobilization: Resources to the sector are to be maximized through participation of both public and private entrepreneurs in operating the services in areas where it is economically and socially justified. Efforts shall be geared up and co-ordinated to create an investment climate to help optimization of resources from both national and international sources.
3.7.1 Local : Local resources may be mobilized through ADP allocation, domestic private investment , issue of Telecommunication Bonds, allocating a part of the revenue earnings, Bank Loans etc.
3.7.2 Foreign: Investment from sources outside the country may be arranged through Suppliers Credit, joint Ventures, BLT/BOT/BOO/ BTO agreement etc., in addition to the usual loans and grants from international organizations as well as through bilateral agreements with other countries in conformity with the industrial policy of the Government.
3.8 Liberalized Tariff Policy : Tariff polices are to be liberalized ,with regard to the area or the service ,from time to time ,in certain market segments and efforts are to be continued to encourage extension of maximum service at minimum cost with particular emphasis in supporting the industrialization efforts of the country .
3.9 Access to New Technology : Research and development activities to facilitate the absorption of new technology and to upgrade the facilities and services in telecommunications are to be encouraged and the regional cooperation in telecommunication sector is to be enhanced through common development and operational strategies and network standards. Continuous updating of information on new and latest technology and transfer of the same for the benefit of the users ,shall be encouraged.
3.10 Private Sector Investment: The Government will achieve a more vigorous development through intensified private sector participation ,encouraged by the enabling environment created by the Government; a more proactive telecommunications industry responsive to users’ needs and creation of an environment with healthier competition & more significant multi-operator participation, all of which accelerate the reality of universal service.
By opening the telecommunications sector to competition and consolidating an independent regulatory board reporting directly to the Government, private sector investment, both domestic and foreign, is encouraged. This tenet will improve access to and quality of both basic and value-added services which historically, have been monopolistic. Investment is encouraged through BLT.BOO.BOT .BTO and other joint venture schemes which, by greatly increasing the capacity ,quality and type of services, will create greately improved efficiencies in other sectors such as transportation , energy and the textile industry .
3.11 Foreign Investment : Foreign investors are encouraged to demonstrate their commitment to Bangladesh by forming joint ventures with local companies and within the telecommunications sector .Government will consider equity participation of up to 100% of the overall shareholdings of the telecommunications operating company .
The Government will make all endeavours to remove all procedural and other impediments for quick implementation of the projects including investment proposals from foreign investors in the telecom sector to meet the growing and unmet demands of telephones in the country . For quick implementation of the projects, the Government reserves the right to take decisions as appropriate.
3.12 Implementation Strategy :Government will the participation of the public and private sectors, intends to meet its goals and objectives through a combination of policy – related technical and financial strategies. It will ensure that the present inadequate infrastructure is alleviated through the formulation of competition and performance standards. While supporting the private sector as the engine of growth it will continue to support BTTB in the short to medium term as the Government assumes its just role as policy maker, regulator and facilitator. The Government objective is to see an orderly transition from a monopolistic to a multi- operator environment
3.13 Human Resource Development: Human resource development being in tandem with the need of the telecommunications sector, standards and qualifications for different categories of personnel of all operators are to be set based on their services.
3.14 Defense and Security: Defense and security interests of the country are to be protected.
3.15 Information Technology: The role of the technologies of telecommunications and computers which are becoming increasingly interdependent of and complementary to each other, leading to the age of information technology is to be acknowledged and encouraged for the benefit of the nation.
3.16 Local Manufacturing: Promotion of local manufacture of viable telecommunications equipment will be encouraged to meet the local and regional demand and a vision to compete in international markets in near future is to be inculcated.
3.17 Regulatory Framework: Assignment, monitoring and management of radio frequency spectrum1 is to be conducted in an effective, fair rational and equitable manner. Telecommunication network standards & their management should be compatible with international standards.
3.18 Protection of users’ Interest and Service Standards: Protection of the users’ interests shall be ensured regarding the services provided, facilities offered, technology used and prices charged.