B Mirror Report : The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has introduced revised “Regulatory and Licensing Guidelines for Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO) Satellite Operator,” replacing the 2022 satellite operator framework with a more specialised and compliance-focused regulatory regime.

A review of the updated guidelines indicates substantial changes in regulatory scope, financial obligations, foreign participation rules and security compliance, alongside several structural refinements and clarifications.

The most significant shift is in regulatory focus. While the 2022 guidelines broadly covered satellite operators without clearly distinguishing between orbital categories, the new framework specifically governs geosynchronous orbit (GSO) satellite operators. This narrows the regulatory scope and establishes clearer parameters for entities operating, or planning to operate, GSO satellites serving Bangladesh.

The revised framework places stronger emphasis on orbital slot coordination, frequency assignment and compliance with obligations under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), reflecting a more structured approach to spectrum management at the international level.

The financial structure has also been overhauled. Under the previous rules, operators were required to pay a fixed licence acquisition fee of Tk 250 million and an annual licence fee of Tk 50 million, along with revenue sharing. The new guidelines introduce a phased gross revenue-sharing model  zero per cent for the first two years, one per cent for the third to fifth years, with higher rates applicable thereafter.

Contributions to the social obligation fund have been clearly defined with specified rates and timelines. The updated framework also strengthens provisions relating to payment deadlines, VAT applicability and penalties for delayed payments, indicating stricter enforcement.

Foreign participation and borrowing conditions have been made more explicit and restrictive. While foreign investors and joint ventures remain eligible, domestic borrowing by foreign-invested operators has been capped at a specified proportion of total loans, subject to prior approval from the Commission. The licence cannot be pledged as collateral for loans, and operators exceeding prescribed financial thresholds will be required to regularise their structure within a set timeframe.

Security compliance requirements have been significantly expanded. Unlike the earlier framework’s general lawful interception clauses, the revised guidelines outline detailed operational obligations. Operators must ensure connectivity of monitoring systems with national authorities from the outset, maintain subscriber databases, provide access to logs and network configurations when required, and implement cybersecurity measures in line with government directives.

The emphasis on redundancy, monitoring capabilities and data transparency signals enhanced security oversight.

The BTRC’s enforcement authority has also been clarified and broadened. The new framework specifies additional grounds for suspension or cancellation of licences, including concealment of revenue data, failure to meet safety standards and submission of false information. It also allows the regulator to appoint an administrator during a suspension period to ensure service continuity.

Mandatory insurance coverage for satellites and related infrastructure has been reinforced under the revised guidelines.