Final Approval of Bangladesh Telecommunication Ordinance-Internet Cannot Be Shut Even for One Minute
Published : 17:17, 24 December 2025
Today, on 24 December 2025, the Advisory Council of the Bangladesh Interim Government gave final approval to the Bangladesh Telecommunication (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 in a meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
This ordinance is a modernized and updated version of the previous law, aiming to strengthen the regulatory framework of the country’s telecommunication sector and align it with international standards.
One of the most notable provisions of the new ordinance is a legal guarantee that telecommunication services, including internet access, cannot be shut down or disrupted under any circumstances, not even for one minute. This measure responds to widespread public demand after repeated internet shutdowns in the past, which affected communication, commerce, and democratic engagement across the country.
Under the amended ordinance, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) will see enhanced powers of transparency and accountability, and a new Transparency and Accountability Committee will be formed to oversee these roles.
The ordinance also introduces legal safeguards to ensure customer data privacy, improve service quality, and combat fraud and illegal activities over telecommunication networks.
The amendment further provides for the creation of a quasi-judicial body to supervise lawful interception of communications, such as phone tapping, with members drawn from high-level government and security representatives. These changes are designed to balance national security interests with citizen rights and legal oversight.
Officials stressed that the updated law will create a more investment-friendly and competitive environment, support international standard compliance, and reinforce the legal basis for national digital infrastructure security.
With this ordinance coming into force, legal obstacles to future internet shutdowns are expected to be significantly higher, signaling a major shift in Bangladesh’s digital rights landscape.
BD/AN
