Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission

BTRC known as Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ টেলিযোগাযোগ নিয়ন্ত্রণ কমিশন) is responsible for establishing, operating, regulating, maintaining telecommunication establishments and providing various telecom services and keeping all the telecommunication systems in Bangladesh in check. It was started although it was criticized by Human rights in March 2013 for blocking various atheist website and blog posts.

They give license to the companies who are willing to do business using Telecommunication, Broadband Internet and Wireless Transmission sectors.

The BTRC was formed on 31st January of 2002, under the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Act 2001 with the vision “At least 10 telephones per 100 inhabitants by 2010”. Apart from all these administrative roles in telecommunication they also play a key role in the satellite department as the latest satellite Bangabandhu-1 that is the first state owned satellite in Bangladesh.

Types of the Existing wireless broadcasting system in Bangladesh:

There are several methods used for broadcasting in electronic media. The methods supported by BTRC are :

  1.  Terrestrial Television Broadcasting
  2. Satellite Television Broadcasting
  3. FM Radio Broadcasting
  4. Community Radio Broadcasting

For Terrestrial Television Broadcasting, Bangladesh Television(BTV) holds the only access and it is protected by Bangladeshi Law. BTV is using 174-230 MHz spectrum in VHF band although VHF band I requested to be turned off. It may be transferred to NFAP, 522-698 MHz spectrums in future.

Satellite Television broadcasting: is regulated by the Minister of Information(MoI) but the spectrum is assigned from BTRC after they are good to go with rules and regulation. So far They have given spectrum to 28 channels and they are using 6,9 or 12 MHz frequency.

FM Radio Broadcasting: FM Radio Broadcasting permission also given by the Ministry of Information(MoI). According to the list of 2015, there are 28 radio stations that have been given permission by the ministry of information and 25 of them excluding the state-owned radio station (Bangladesh Betar) has been assigned spectrum by BTRC.

Bangladesh Betar has its headquarter in Sher e Bangla Nagar, Agargaon

Here is the list of privately owned radio stations and their description:

Community Radio Broadcasting Its good to know that community radio station are also growing now in Bangladesh after the initiative of BNNRC with the ministry of information. Under the policy of Broadcasting and operation policy 2008, Sixteen(16) community radio has been approved. To ensure the free flow of information to the people, the government enacted the Right to Information Act 2009.Currently, the output power of community radio transmitter is 100 WATT and it covers roughly 17 Kilometer but it going to be developed to 250 WATT very soon. Also a there is a plan to cover the whole country under the spectrum, which are 98.40MHz, 98.80MHz and 99.20MHz.

Here is the list of community radios in Bangladesh:

How Companies and people can get a license?

For all of these 4 type of broadcasting license is given by the Ministry of information (Mol).

After getting awarded license from Ministry of information (Mol).

The licensee has to apply for assigning frequency and import Earth Station and SNG/DSNG equipment and after getting the frequency they can use, for broadcast and transmission they are on the next step to set up their situation with radio equipment for that they have to import the equipment which they can do easily after the grant of frequency from BTRC

What types of Band Assigned by BTRC?

Band Assigned by BTRC:

  • For Satellite Television: According to NFAP, the frequency is assigned from BTRC to the licensee, 6/9/12 MHz uplink frequency from 5.85-6.425 GHz band.
  • FM/Community Radio: According to NFAP, the frequency is assigned from BTRC to the licensee from 87.5 to 108 MHz

What Documents needed to be submitted for the process and application?

Documents to be submitted with the application:

Applicant(s) shall furnish the following information/documents as is applicable:

  1. Letter of application (in letterhead pad and application to the

Chairman of BTRC and attention to the Director, Spectrum Division)

  1. Application Form (duly filled in, furnished, signed and sealed)

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  1. Copy of License from MoI. (Attested)
  2. Copy of Brochure (General Specification) of requested radio equipment (Attested)
  3. Copy of Trade License (Attested)
  4. For limited Company: Copy of Memorandum of Association and Article of Association (Attested)
  5. For public owner: Copy of Proprietorship Certificate (Attested)

What do after application submission?

After getting the application with the proper documents, the Commission will place the application to the Spectrum Management Committee (SMC) for their opinion. The SMC recommends the proposal to the Commission. It is worth mentioning that the sole responsibility of assigning spectrum belongs to the commission. According to the decision of the commission, the spectrum is assigned to the applicant.

Test Transmission Report:

After getting the prior permission from the Commission to use the assigned frequency for 7 days test. The licensee shall have to submit the test transmission report to the Commission. The Inspection team of BTRC will inspect the broadcast method of the organization. The Commission, upon inspection report, will award the License to Operate Radio Communications Equipment to the licensee.

The licensee(s) have to renew the license yearly,

 

 

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