Bangladesh Amends Telecom Law; Internet Shutdown Power Withdrawn in Landmark Reform

The interim government has amended the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulation Act, 2001 through a new ordinance titled the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026. The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued the ordinance last Thursday.

The development was announced on Wednesday by Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of the interim government, in a post on his verified social media account.

He described the amendment as a historic step in a country where, in the past, restrictive provisions of the telecom law were allegedly misused to conduct unlawful surveillance, shut down internet services, and suppress dissent — actions that reportedly led to enforced disappearances and loss of life.

Calling the reform “a new beginning,” Taiyeb said the amendment represents not merely a legal adjustment but a fundamental recalibration of the relationship between the state and its citizens.

Key Features of the Amendment

1. Protection of Freedom of Expression

Under the previous law, hate speech was directly criminalized. The amended ordinance revises this provision, specifying that speech will be treated as a criminal offense only if it is directly linked to incitement to violence. According to officials, the aim is to safeguard citizens’ freedom of expression while maintaining public order.

2. Restoration of Regulatory Authority

The amendment significantly reduces the requirement for prior approval from the ministry in telecom regulatory matters. Most operational powers — including licensing, permits, enlistments, tariff changes, monitoring, and enforcement — have been restored to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

However, for certain strategically important “once-in-a-time” licenses affecting the national economy, ministry review will still be required, based on independent industry-academia research.

3. Investment-Friendly Framework

To restore investor confidence in the capital-intensive telecom sector, financial penalties have been reduced to one-third of their previous levels. Officials say the move is intended to improve Bangladesh’s standing in due diligence and feasibility assessments by domestic and foreign investors.

4. Transparency and Accountability

A high-powered quasi-judicial transparency and accountability committee has been formed to review the activities of both the ministry and BTRC. The body will conduct post-facto reviews of major decisions.

In addition, the amendment introduces a requirement for regular reporting to the parliamentary committee to ensure oversight by elected representatives.

5. Internet Shutdown Authority Withdrawn

One of the most significant changes is the removal of legal authority to shut down internet services in Bangladesh. The ordinance formally withdraws the government’s power to suspend internet access, providing statutory protection for uninterrupted connectivity, free flow of information, and continuity of the digital economy.

Observers describe this provision as the most historic element of the reform.

6. International-Standard Lawful Interception

The amendment also restructures Article 97 to introduce what officials describe as an internationally compliant lawful interception framework.

Surveillance has been divided into “emergency” and “non-emergency” categories, with structured procedures including:

• Prior approval and post-facto review
• Case-by-case standard operating procedures
• Defined time limits
• Event logging and access controls

The Ministry of Home Affairs has been directed to formulate detailed rules to implement the new framework.

A Shift in Governance Approach

In his statement, Taiyeb said that in a country where telecom laws were previously alleged to have been used for illegal surveillance and internet shutdowns, the human-centered and accountability-driven reform marks a turning point.

He expressed confidence that the amendment would be remembered as one of the interim government’s most significant achievements, describing it as a bold step toward rebuilding trust between the state and citizens.

Taiyeb also congratulated Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus and senior leadership of the country’s law enforcement agencies for their cooperation in achieving what he termed a milestone reform.

The amendment is expected to have far-reaching implications for digital governance, regulatory independence, investor confidence, and civil liberties in Bangladesh’s rapidly growing telecommunications sector.