The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has reinstated the commercial operation license of First Communications Limited (Firstcom BD), a company owned by controversial businessman S Alam. The company had been shut down in December 2024 due to serious allegations of irregularities, unpaid dues, and financial corruption. Despite owing significant amounts to both the International Gateway Operators Forum (IOS) and BTRC, the regulator lifted the operational cap on December 2, 2025, after the company paid only half of its dues to BTRC. On March 16, 2026, BTRC granted full permission for the company to resume operations.

The decision has sparked intense debate within the telecommunications sector. Industry stakeholders argue that BTRC violated its own May 2025 directive requiring full payment of dues by July 31, 2025, before participation in new network topologies. IOS operators rejected Firstcom BD’s proposals to repay dues in installments, expressing concern that the company might again default as it had in the past.

Sector insiders warn that BTRC’s move could undermine regulatory neutrality and discourage compliant operators, especially as the Anti-Corruption Commission had previously secured a court order freezing assets linked to the company’s controlling shareholders.