The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has drafted stringent quality of service (QoS) benchmarks for mobile operators, broadband providers, and transmission networks to protect consumer interests and foster innovation.

Key revisions include lowering the call drop rate ceiling from 2% to 1%, raising the call setup success rate from 97% to 98%, and tightening the voice call setup time from 8 to 7 seconds. A new benchmark limits VoLTE call setup time to 3 seconds, while mobile data latency is capped at under 50 milliseconds, improving real-time communication quality.

Broadband providers must now ensure 75% of the subscribed download speed and 50% of the upload speed, reflecting BTRC’s first inclusion of ISPs under its QoS framework. Additionally, mobile data upload speed requirements have doubled from 2 Mbps to 4 Mbps.

The draft aims to enhance competition, drive innovation, and foster trust among stakeholders while also empowering BTRC to conduct compliance assessments through random tests or in response to complaints. Violations, including failing to meet standards or submitting inaccurate information, may result in administrative fines under the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulation Act, 2001.

Telecom expert Mustafa Mahmud Hussain praised the initiative as a significant step toward aligning Bangladesh’s QoS framework with global standards, promoting consumer trust and competitive growth in the sector.