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The decision came at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase on Wednesday, which approved a procurement proposal titled “Expansion of Content Blocking and Filtering System (Phase-1)” for the agency, according to the finance ministry.
The ministry said the project will be implemented under a contract with supplier Global Brand, involving equipment and services sourced from different international brands, at a cost of Tk 949.05 million.
However, the official meeting documents did not specify what exact products or systems would be procured under the deal.
The NTMC has long operated a content blocking and filtering system aimed at restricting “content” and propaganda considered anti-state or anti-government, a function it has carried out since its inception.
The move comes amid renewed scrutiny of the agency’s surveillance role, including criticism over alleged monitoring of citizens’ private communications under previous governments.
In 2019, reports citing NTMC statements said the agency would soon be able to rapidly block anti-government propaganda and other illegal online content, as part of an expanding content filtering framework that is now being implemented.
Following the political changeover after the fall of the Awami League government, the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus had taken steps to dissolve the NTMC, citing concerns over its controversial activities during the July Uprising, including internet shutdowns.
On Dec 24, 2025, the interim government approved a draft amendment to the Telecommunication Ordinance 2025, proposing the abolition of NTMC and its replacement with a new body called the Centre for Information Support (CIS).
Under the proposed framework, the CIS would operate under the Ministry of Home Affairs with authorisation from a semi-judicial council to conduct lawful interception activities.
At the time, the authorities said the revised law had clearly defined the scope and legal boundaries of interception, including surveillance conducted for judicial and emergency purposes.
It also said the CIS would be required to operate under the standards of a personal data protection ordinance, particularly for lawful interception functions.
However, the reform process lost momentum after the interim government stepped down.
The succeeding administration did not proceed with parliamentary approval of the proposed reforms, effectively stalling the restructuring of NTMC.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding its future, approval has now been granted to enhance the agency’s technical capabilities through new procurement.
On Wednesday, the cabinet committee also approved the purchase of 1 million litres of refined rice bran oil and 1 million litres of refined palm olein, both packaged in two-litre bottles, alongside the procurement of 20,000 tonnes of lentils.
Source: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/sci-tech/mars-may-have-once-had-an-ocean-and-this-chaotic-valley-is-a-big-clue
