The licensing of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Bangladesh is regulated under the Bangladesh Telecommunication Act, 2001 (Act No. XVIII of 2001). This act establishes the legal framework for the authorization and operation of ISPs at national and zonal levels. ISPs must obtain licenses from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), ensuring compliance with standards that promote competition, protect consumers, and enhance the country’s telecommunication infrastructure.
Issuing Authority:
Name : Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC)
Address : IEB Bhaban (5,6 & 7 floor), Ramna, Dhaka-1000
Email : btrc@btrc.gov.bd
web : www.btrc.gov.bd
Required list of documents:
- Application in a letterhead
- Filled-in prescribed Form
- Copy of valid Trade License
- Agreement with the bandwidth provider (IIG/Sub lease)
- House-Rent Agreement/Ownership deed.
- Latest Income Tax Clearance Certificate
- Certificate of bank solvency
- Undertaking about not as a Bank Defaulter
- Proposed Tariff Chart
- Undertaking on non-judicial stamp of Tk. 2007- sworn before the notary public of Bangladesh about not to take any activity over VOIP / WiMAX business and not to use any kind of VSAT
- Relevant Fees in the form of Pay Order/Bank Draft [In Favor of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC)]
- Certificate of Incorporation [if applicable]
- Memorandum & Articles of Association [if applicable]
- Description of existing business
- Documents for financial capability to run the business
- Internet and Domestic point to point data connectivity Clients/Users List (Wireless/Wired) [if applicable]
- Network Diagram in details
- Equipment List
- Business Plan
- Information with relevant documents regarding the amount of VAT and Income Tax that the entity has deposited to the Government fund for the last 3 (three) years [if applicable]
Step by step process
Step 1 Obtain a Trade License and Application Form: Secure a valid trade license, which is essential for operating any business in Bangladesh, and simultaneously acquire the official application form for an ISP license from the BTRC, available either at their office or website.
Step 2 Determine Scope and Bandwidth: Decide on the scope of your ISP services, whether national or zonal, and establish a formal agreement with a licensed International Internet Gateway (IIG) provider or arrange for bandwidth sublease.
Step 3 Set Up Infrastructure: Establishing a disaster recovery center or data center is essential to ensure service reliability, while simultaneously developing a detailed network design that outlines infrastructure and architecture.
Step 4 Prepare Documentation: Prepare comprehensive documentation, including a technical profile for new applications or a service profile for renewals, along with compiling an equipment list, tariff chart, and payment of required fees.
Step 5 Submission and Approval: Submit the completed application form along with supporting documents to the BTRC and pay the application and licensing fees as stipulated. Upon successful review, obtain the ISP license from the BTRC, authorizing legal operation at the chosen level.
Fee Schedule:
Current Fees are as follows:
SL. Description of ISP License Acquisition Annual
1 Nationwide ISP 2,00,0007- 1,00,0007-
2 Central Zone ISP 1,00,0007- 50,0007-
3 Zonal ISP (N-E, S-E, N-W, S-W) 30,0007- 10,0007-
Official timeline:
Time may vary
Actual timeline
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