Internet subscribers have been deprived of full-fledge triple-play services as state-run Bangladesh Telecommunication Company Limited (BTCL) is yet to start the IPTV services.
A triple-play network is one in which voice, video and data are all provided in a single access subscription.
BTCL has long been providing voice and data services on a limited scale. Now, it has planned to move to third party to introduce the IPTV services.
Internet services providers (ISPs) are not providing the triple play services despite an order from Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
People familiar with the matter said the information ministry’ move on IPTV licence and BTRC’s order created a log-jam in offering triple play service.
Internet service providers (ISPs) are ready to provide IPTV and VoD (video on demand) but BTRC somewhat puts a bar in providing services, Aminul Islam, president of Internet Service Providers of Bangladesh (ISPB), told Bangla Tribune.
Islam said they (ISPs) can come with the service within a month if instructed.
Despite having all technical preparation, the ISPs cannot provide the services whereas mobile operators including Grameenphone. Robi and Banglalink are giving the services, alleged the ISPB boss.
Sources said the BTCL planned to offer the triple play service to 239,000 subscribers under its ‘171 KL’ project, which is yet to complete. Meantime, a small portion of the subscribers gets the service in limited scale.
A BTCL director told Bangla Tribune, “At present, we are operating internet and two voice services. IPTV is yet to be introduced.
“IPTV will be launched through third party,” said the Director, who preferred to go unnamed.
In line with the International Long Distance Telecommunications Services (ILDTS) Policy-2007, ISPs are authorised to offer IPTV and IP Telephony, which they cannot be resulting in a large number of broadband internet subscribers out of the services.
Information ministry called for the IPTV licences, followed by intelligences’ investigation. Since then, no progress is made on the release of licences, ISPB chief Islam said.