Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission is considering to awarding allocation of its unused spectrums from 900 and 450 bands for existing operators.
It also scrutinised whether legal options were available to allocate the spectrums of closed PSTN operators to other operators, sources said.
“Spectrum is a natural resource; there is no way to drop it without use,” BTRC chairman Sunil Kanti Bose told the Dhaka Tribune, confirming that they had taken an initiative. “The International Telecommunication Union also recommends not to keeping these types of natural resources unutilised.” The telecom watchdog has already engaged legal consultant, Lex Counsel, with the process to rectify errors in the legal process and find ways to maximise usage.
“Several operators have closed down three or four years back and there is little scope to revive them. Even some of them have had their licenses suspended,” Sunil said. “We intend to get hold of those unused spectrums and allocate them to companies who can use it.”
Replying to a question he said BTRC reserves the legal authority to cancel the allocated spectrums anytime. “Companies to be qualified for these spectrums will get it on a conditional basis,” he said, “if the suspended operators wish to get back their licenses, we’ll give it back as well.’’
The Association of PSTN Operators of Bangladesh thinks that it would not be a smart decision at all as spectrum is very much related with other equipment.
“BTRC must know spectrum allocation can never be a conditional deal, and no operator will take it as far as my understanding goes,” Md Jahangir, secretary of the association and managing director of the shut down PSTN National Telecom Ltd. told the Dhaka Tribune.
“From the very beginning the regulator is acting with us as if we are nobody in this sector. They never take care of local investments,” he said.
Sources from BTRC informed that it was also discussed at the 150th commission meeting, when PSTN operator Dhaka Phone and Ranks Tel applied for their previous allocated spectrum. This two operator switch room has been forced to shut down due to alleged illegal call termination in March 2010. Recently Ranks Tel got back their license and Dhaka Phone is fighting in the court.
According to the minutes of the commission meeting on April 1, 2013, BTRC had allocated 5 Megahertz (MHz) for mobile operator Airtel, which was first allocated for Dhaka Phone.
“It may not be a good move for conditional spectrum allocation and, at the same time, it would bode well for the industry,” said a former commissioner of BTRC, requesting anonymity.