The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has asked all mobile network operators to give 1GB of free internet to their users on July 18, in honour of “Free Internet Day”, which is being observed to mark the July Uprising.
According to the BTRC’s directive, the free data will be available for five days, and users must be informed in advance through SMS.
The decision was made during a meeting at the BTRC office on July 8, following instructions from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. The goal is to support people’s demand for digital freedom and to reflect the spirit of the July movement.
Read More: Child Dies after Drowning in Drain in Anandapur, Chittagong
The BTRC has also asked operators to make sure the plan works smoothly and to fully support the observance of this day. They said this free internet offer is a symbolic act that matches the values of the July Uprising and serves the public interest.
Taimur Rahman, who is the Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer at Banglalink, said,
“We are very keen to uphold the spirit of July, especially with regard to internet access. Now we will review the letter and take a decision accordingly.”
However, a mobile operator official pointed out that they still need to pay taxes on any data given to users, including this free data. So, they are hoping the government will clarify if this data will be tax-free.
The official also said that data transmission and delivery costs are still their responsibility. For this reason, they want to know if other parties will also help in covering those costs.
This initiative carries special meaning because, on July 18 last year, the former Sheikh Hasina-led government shut down internet access across the country during a violent crackdown on student protests for quota reforms. Just a few weeks later, in early August, Hasina was removed from power after massive protests.
Source: The Daily Star
