Bangladesh VoIP Blockade Hurts Much More Than It Helps

from the unintended-consequences... dept

Mon, Oct 31st 2005 9:58am — Mike Masnick

It's been nearly two years since we first wrote that political pressure had convinced the government in Bangladesh to allow VoIP connections. However, it appears that things weren't quite that simple, as now, it's being reported that VoIP still isn't legal in the country -- and that it's mainly to protect incumbents offering services related to traditional telephony. However, as the article points out, this is an incredibly short-sighted viewpoint. In protecting those few incumbents, the country is losing out on the ability take part in larger enterprises, such as VoIP-enabled call center businesses -- which are helping to create jobs in nearby communities in India, for example. It's yet another example of protectionist policies designed to help out one industry that often do more overall harm than good.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

21 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

lapinmalin, 26 Dec 2006 @ 11:37pm

skype is blocked by inversal opensource filters
unfortunately now skype blockers are using universal filters that cannot be circumvented. Such tools are widely available now for ISP, even in free opensource. check this website to see some opensource skype blocker http://www.lynanda.com/products/software-for-corporations/traffic-filtering/lynanda-skype-filter
so it might be the end of skype...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
RC, 6 Feb 2007 @ 10:18am

VOIP saga in Bangladesh
VOIP is once again in the site of Bangladesh govt. and has been shut down. As an NRB (Non-Resident Bangladeshi) on way that was cheap available to me and hundreds and thousands of NRB to call home was buying calling card from VOIP providers. Though Govt.'s intention is great, i.e. to protect BTTB (Bangladesh Telecom and Telegraph Board) from losing long distance revenue but the decision is nothing but a myopic one, since BTTB doesn't have the infrastructure to handle the LD volume now NRBs are the only victim that is not paying higher rate to call Bangladesh, but considers themselves lucky to get thru.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Zahir Uddin, 4 Mar 2007 @ 8:27am

VOIP in Bangladesh
We the NRB (Non Resident Bangladeshi) earn all over the world but spend in Bangladesh, which is the 2nd largest foreign currency source. To maintain the economic growth, we must be able to communicate with our relative and business frequently in a cost effective way. To make a call to Dhaka from NY (Before VOIP destruction) would cost about 1 cent a minuet, but it is now about 15/20 cents. Government of Bangladesh must do something to solve this problem.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
shahajahan, 22 Mar 2007 @ 2:13am

VOIP open for all
According to my mind Bangladesh Govt. has to open VOIP gateway otherwise they have to decrease the foreign call charge for the home people otherwise govt. will not control it. If the VOIP operator can give the simple charge so our govt. why not. Our govt. has no real concern about telecommunication. Where the private mobile operator are giving lowest call rate for Home people There our home operator Teletalk is giving high rate then other. Our govt. has to make competition for protection like this corruption.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
sojib, 11 Nov 2007 @ 10:36am

VOIP destruction; totally wrong dicition by the Go
unemployments is the one of the biggest challenge in Bangladesh. Depending on VOIP, many investment can be happen in this country and in the other hand thousand of Bangladeshi can be employed.
Why has government close their eyes. Now the question is that , is the Bangladesh government well wisher for Bangladesh.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Hasenur, 11 Nov 2007 @ 10:41am

VOIP destruction; totally wrong dicition by the Go
Bangladesh government have warned everyone using VOIP services in Bangladesh. The government feels they are loosing millions of dollars due to VOIP services offering free calls to Bangladesh.

"Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) is the lone legitimate organization approved by the government for call termination and call origination abroad," an official statement says in Dhaka on Monday.
Source: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006223535

I wouldn't be surprised if the Indian government issues a similar warning, which they already talked about but didn't take any serious steps. In future, when companies like Reliance, bharati pressurize the government, even this possibility cant be ruled out.

I wonder where the SARC countries are really moving to? Perhaps humiliation and degradation of technology and fascist regulations to support a few money-minder telcos.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anti-Fascist-Circle, 20 May 2008 @ 9:52am

Rise of fascism in Bangladesh
The country is in the grip of counter-revolutionaries who seized power more than one and half years back with full backing of the army supported by he World Bank,IMF,UN and EU. Butenis of USA and Anwar Choudhury of Britain implanted their agents. Today the country's top politicians are being held under uncivilized fascist laws by this illegitimate foreign-backed regime. A farcical election is being prepared and the army is being pampered by the US and it's failed institutions. They have already purchased Boeings and have sold out Bangladesh's offshore and inland oil and gas reserves and precious minerals to foregn bidders. This should never have been done by an unconstitutional government whose only legitimate task was to hold an election in 90 days.

This Fackruddin govt's liability in unlawful pacts and deals signed during it's undemocratic tenure will land it in scams and their legal proceedings ten times more severe and harsh than the so caled GATCO case framed by this military and US-backed junta to harass and griveously hurt both the former PMs Hasina and Khaleda.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
hasan, 7 Jan 2011 @ 8:59am

Voip, Call in Bangladesh, call in India, E1 call, free call, mobile dialer, reseller, dialer, pc2phone, device2phone, call, mobile, free call Bangladesh
Do you need pure White , E1, gray call, Good Mobile dialer,Gplex dialer. I have gplex �continental, Mastercall.Okfone,Mdialer,A1voip. And ALL KIND ROUT. Just LET ME KNOW UR DEMAND. USD & BD DOLAR available . White 1000 min,gray 1400 pin, India 2200 min.Pakistan 500 min, Nepal 330 min.

please contact For detail toxandrew@yahoo.com 8801672 796177
[ link to this | view in thread ]
babu, 21 Apr 2011 @ 10:32pm

new line
130 north goran, dhaka-1219.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 May 2011 @ 9:34am

Re: skype is blocked by inversal opensource filters
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 14 May 2011 @ 9:39am

Re: skype is blocked by inversal opensource filters
[ link to this | view in thread ]
islamtelecom, 30 Aug 2011 @ 9:27pm

voip bisness
low rate high quality voip card abolvel hear islamlecom
[ link to this | view in thread ]
maruf, 1 Oct 2011 @ 2:54pm

Re: Voip, Call in Bangladesh, call in India, E1 call, free call, mobile dialer, reseller, dialer, pc2phone, device2phone, call, mobile, free call Bangladesh
i m looking for serious voip businessmen who is high volume reseller

phone:+8801680330871

E-mail:mail:maruf_tt@yahoo.com

wholesell price

Gplex:2200 taka per 1000 minute (bd cli whilte) 1minute =2.20 taka/// for india per 1000 minute= 16us dollar// 100 us dollar=6393 minute 10 second grace,no pulse.minimum buying 5000 minute

bdnet:2180 taka per 1000 minute(bd cli white) 1 minute=2.18 taka
(Bd rate)///for india 100 US dollar=6050 minute,pulse30/30
minimum buying:5000 minute

amader phone:2200 taka per 1000 minute(bd cli white)1 minute=2.20 taka,india mobile 919 per 100 minute 17 us dollar,100 us dollar=5917 minute minimum buying 5000 minute,pulse 30/30

price not negotiable.

*i dont sell any kind of gray or E1 calling credit
[ link to this | view in thread ]
maruf, 1 Oct 2011 @ 2:54pm

Re: voip bisness
i m looking for serious voip businessmen who is high volume reseller

phone:+8801680330871

E-mail:mail:maruf_tt@yahoo.com

wholesell price

Gplex:2200 taka per 1000 minute (bd cli whilte) 1minute =2.20 taka/// for india per 1000 minute= 16us dollar// 100 us dollar=6393 minute 10 second grace,no pulse.minimum buying 5000 minute

bdnet:2180 taka per 1000 minute(bd cli white) 1 minute=2.18 taka
(Bd rate)///for india 100 US dollar=6050 minute,pulse30/30
minimum buying:5000 minute

amader phone:2200 taka per 1000 minute(bd cli white)1 minute=2.20 taka,india mobile 919 per 100 minute 17 us dollar,100 us dollar=5917 minute minimum buying 5000 minute,pulse 30/30

price not negotiable.

*i dont sell any kind of gray or E1 calling credit
[ link to this | view in thread ]
maruf, 1 Oct 2011 @ 2:55pm

Re: VOIP saga in Bangladesh
i m looking for serious voip businessmen who is high volume reseller

phone:+8801680330871

E-mail:mail:maruf_tt@yahoo.com

wholesell price

Gplex:2200 taka per 1000 minute (bd cli whilte) 1minute =2.20 taka/// for india per 1000 minute= 16us dollar// 100 us dollar=6393 minute 10 second grace,no pulse.minimum buying 5000 minute

bdnet:2180 taka per 1000 minute(bd cli white) 1 minute=2.18 taka
(Bd rate)///for india 100 US dollar=6050 minute,pulse30/30
minimum buying:5000 minute

amader phone:2200 taka per 1000 minute(bd cli white)1 minute=2.20 taka,india mobile 919 per 100 minute 17 us dollar,100 us dollar=5917 minute minimum buying 5000 minute,pulse 30/30

price not negotiable.

*i dont sell any kind of gray or E1 calling credit
[ link to this | view in thread ]
maruf, 21 Oct 2011 @ 4:37am

gray=0.0198,white=0.0355 route available,server rent,reseller l3,l2,l1 available........
mail:maruf_tt@yahoo.com
mbl:+8801680330871
[ link to this | view in thread ]
rashed, 9 Dec 2011 @ 12:26am

High Quality Voip
GOLDEN PLUS PLATINUM DIALER, CRISTAL CLEAR VOICE QUALITY
BD WHITE 780 MIN, INDIA ALL - 2000 MIN, PAKISTAN - 1700 MIN ONLY BDT 2200 TAKA

SONY DIALER & RESELLER CRISTAL CLEAR VOICE QUALITY
WHITE 00880 - 780 MIN, WHITE 880- 770 MIN, WHITE 778801 - 820 MIN, GREY 01 - 1320,
INDIA 91 - 1800 MIN, 919 - 2250 MIN, PAKISTAN 923- 1400 MIN
only BDT - 2100

M. DAILER(MOTTIRY)
HIGH QUALITY GREY & WHITE
GREY 008801= 1310 MIN, WHITE 880 = 770 MIN, PAKISTAN 923= 1400 MIN

ONLY BDT= 2100/-
for Reseller L2 and L1 Please contract me , Yahoo ID- md.alrashed@yahoo.com,
cell- 01716039254
[ link to this | view in thread ]
rashed, 24 Dec 2011 @ 5:27am

High Quality Voip
JAMUNA TEL PLATINUM DIALER, CRISTAL CLEAR VOICE QUALITY
BD WHITE 760 MIN, GREY= 1325 MIN,INDIA 91 � 2000, 919= 2300 MIN, PAKISTAN - 1500 MIN ONLY BDT 2200 TAKA
L1, L2, L3 Available Usd and bd traif

SONY DIALER & RESELLER CRISTAL CLEAR VOICE QUALITY
WHITE 00880 - 780 MIN, WHITE 880- 770 MIN, WHITE 998801 - 770 MIN, GREY 01 - 1320,
INDIA 91 - 1800 MIN, 919 - 2300 MIN, PAKISTAN 923- 1400 MIN
only BDT - 2100
L1, L2, L3 Available Usd and bd traif

M. DAILER(MOTTIRY)
HIGH QUALITY GREY & WHITE (SPECIALY FOR GREY)
L1, L2, L3 Available Usd and bd traif

for Reseller , L3, L2 and L1 Please contract me , Yahoo ID- md.alrashed@yahoo.com,
cell- 01716039254,
= 01670785829
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Michio, 24 Jun 2012 @ 6:53am

Bypass blockade
You can bypass VoIP blockade with SecurityKISS Tunnel
It works on almost all operating systems.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Haariz VoIP, 18 Oct 2013 @ 2:21am

Best quality white cli routes
Hello,

Offering best quality direct white cli routes...

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh & A-z white cli routes...

Pakistan & Bangladesh non cli routes...

Tata, Airtel & Vodafone routes...

Premium quality & more ports offering...

Big traffic offering very best rates...

Usa, Uae, Ksa, Kuwait & India payment option...

24 x 7 chat and phone support offering...

For more details please contact me...

http://www.facebook.com/voiphaariz

https://twitter.com/voiphaariz

http://www.linkedin.com/in/voip haariz

E-Mail & GTalk voiphaariz@gmail.com
Yahoo haarizvoip@yahoo.com
Skype & MSN haarizvoip@hotmail.com
Skype voiphaariz
Mobile 919747434994

Thanks,
Haariz
[ link to this | view in thread ]
shoman, 15 Dec 2014 @ 12:40pm

sggh
Hgh
[ link to this | view in thread ]