The Association of ICX Operators of Bangladesh (AIOB) has expressed grave concern over the ongoing debate regarding the future of the Interconnection Exchange (ICX) system in the country’s telecom sector.
At a press conference held on Wednesday at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity, AIOB leaders emphasized that for over 15 years, ICX has served as the central interconnection mechanism for voice traffic, building a stable telecom infrastructure through transparency, security, employment generation, and protection of domestic investment.
They warned that recent proposals for “voice-level simplification” are unrealistic and could negatively impact national security, tax revenue, the future of local entrepreneurs, and the quality of service received by consumers. The organization further claimed that issues like illegal VoIP, rising call rates, and call drops are not due to ICX, but rather stem from the internal network architecture and market dominance of mobile operators.
The press conference was presided over by Brigadier General (Retd.) Mostafizur Rahman, President of the Telecom Infrastructure Operators of Bangladesh (TIOB) and Director of the Association of ICX Operators of Bangladesh (AIOB). Among those present were Lt. Colonel (Retd.) Aminur Rahman, General Secretary of AIOB; Brigadier General (Retd.) Md. Khurshid Alam, Treasurer of AIOB and Group CEO of Jibondhara Solution Ltd.; and technology expert Ahmed Ur Rahman (Romel). Several other stakeholders from the telecommunications sector were also in attendance.
The speakers highlighted that over BDT 1.3 billion has recently been invested in advanced IP technology and SMS interconnection infrastructure in response to BTRC directives in 2024. This investment is sufficient to ensure seamless services for the next decade and has already generated more than 500 jobs. Scrapping the system, AIOB warned, would severely impact employment and stall the sector’s positive investment trajectory.
Urging the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and policymakers to consider real-world conditions and stakeholder input, AIOB stressed the need for modernization rather than elimination of the ICX system. “Any reform should aim at improving and organizing the current ICX-based framework-not dismantling it, which would plunge the sector into chaos,” they stated.
AIOB also pointed out that Bangladesh currently has over 50 voice service providers. Allowing bilateral interconnections, they said, would pave the way for monopoly control by larger operators, pushing smaller ones out of the market. Such a move could result in revenue losses for the government, compromise the security of international calls, and trigger a resurgence of illegal VoIP activities.
Experts echoed the view that reforms in the telecom sector must preserve order and be guided by technology, data, and employment goals. ICX, they emphasized, is essential to building a sustainable, cost-effective, and inclusive telecom infrastructure in Bangladesh.