Government will not sell Teletalk: ICT Minister

The government will not sell the state-owned telecommunications operator Teletalk, Post, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam has said. He said that Teletalk should remain under government ownership to ensure competition in the telecom market against private operators and to provide affordable telecommunications services to the public.

The minister made the remarks while exchanging views with ICT and telecom journalists at the ICT Tower in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Tuesday (July 7). In recent weeks, various media outlets reported that several private companies, including Banglalink, had expressed interest in acquiring Teletalk.

"We have a responsibility to bring government services to people's doorsteps and make them more digital and accessible for citizens," the minister said. "When we visit other countries, we see how advanced they have become. We also need to reach that level. The Prime Minister entrusted me with this responsibility, and I want to live up to that trust."

Referring to the previous Awami League government's tenure, the minister said there had been significant disorder in the ICT and telecommunications sectors.

"We need to address the irregularities created during the previous government's tenure. We are working impartially and with integrity to resolve these issues. Many unnecessary infrastructure projects were undertaken in the name of development, and those will be evaluated," he added.

Regarding the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), the minister said a decision would be made soon after consultations with the relevant stakeholders.

On the issue of Nagad, he said the matter is currently under judicial review, and it will be resolved once the court case is concluded.

The minister also made it clear that officials of his ministry would not undertake foreign trips using government funds.

In addition, Fakir Mahbub Anam, who is also serving as the Minister for Power and Energy, said electricity generated from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant will be connected to the national grid by the end of August.

"Rooppur is currently in the fueling stage. Before the end of August, electricity generated from the plant will be added to the national grid," he said.