BTCL Slashes .bd Domain Prices by 36% to Boost Bangladesh’s Digital Ecosystem

Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) has announced significant discounts on some of the country’s most commonly used .bd domain services, aiming to encourage wider adoption of locally registered web addresses and strengthen Bangladesh’s digital ecosystem.

Under the revised pricing, BTCL has reduced both registration and renewal fees by 36 per cent for two popular domain categories: .bd second-level domains (such as abc.bd) and .bd third-level domains (such as abc.com.bd), provided the domain name contains more than two characters.

The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology said in a press release that the new rates are intended to make .bd domains more affordable for individuals, businesses and institutions operating within Bangladesh.

According to the updated pricing structure, the annual registration fee for a .bd third-level domain has been reduced from Tk 1,100 to Tk 700, while the renewal fee has been cut from Tk 1,600 to Tk 1,020. For .bd second-level domains, the registration fee has been lowered from Tk 2,000 to Tk 1,280, and the renewal fee from Tk 2,500 to Tk 1,600.

BTCL officials said the price reduction is expected to encourage greater use of national domains, particularly among small businesses, startups, freelancers and local organisations seeking a stronger online identity.

Technology experts say .bd domains offer several advantages over global alternatives such as .com. These include higher availability of domain names, greater credibility for Bangladesh-based entities, and stronger acceptance among government bodies and reputable institutions. Locally registered domains are also considered more secure due to domestic oversight and compliance with national regulations.

The company noted that value-added tax (VAT) will be applied at the prevailing rate and that all registrations must comply with Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) guidelines. The revised tariffs are subject to BTCL’s standard terms and conditions.

BTCL has not specified the duration of the discount offer, stating only that it will be available for a limited time.

The move comes as Bangladesh continues to expand its digital infrastructure and online services, with policymakers placing growing emphasis on data sovereignty, local hosting and national digital branding. Officials believe increased use of .bd domains will help reinforce Bangladesh’s digital identity while supporting long-term growth in the country’s information and communications technology sector.