Telecom div approves VAS policy

FT ONLINE

The Post and Telecommunications division on Wednesday approved the Value Added Service (VAS) policy.

Post Telecommunication and Information Technology Minister Mostofa Jabbar signed the copy of policy at his office in the Secretariat in the capital.

After giving his consent, the minister told UNB that there was no guideline for the service for long. “It was necessary to get a guideline which will bring discipline in this sector.”

As there was no guideline, the service provides do whatever they wanted. “Now there will be discipline as mandatory registration process to be initiated.”

Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) will conduct the post-approval procedure, said the minister adding that the approved regulations will be sent to BTRC.

He also said that foreign companies can work on VAS, but in association with a local company. “I welcome foreign investment but it must be through rules and regulations.”

From now on, the next phase of VAS will run according to the policy, said BTRC Secretary Sarwar Alam.