The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (Amtob) has expressed concern over the new Wi-max licence, considered to be awarded on the 2,600 band, which is regarded as a natural extension band for 3G and widely auctioned for 4G LTE.
In a letter to the telecommunication ministry, dated August 29, Amtob termed the new licencing process discriminatory.
The price of spectrum on the 2,100 band had been fixed at Tk1.55bn per MHz for the 3G auction while the price of 2,600 band remained Tk12.5m.
“Since the 2,600 band is widely considered as the natural upgradation band for 2,100, the price cannot be so widely apart thus should be fixed in a rational manner,” the letter reads.
Back in 2008, the fees for the Wi-max licence were set at Tk2.15bn according to the auction. Now the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has proposed awarding new Wi-max licences at the same price.
In its reaction, Amtob urged the government to conduct a proper consultation process, set a realistic reserve price and, if possible, award Wi-max licences through an auction.
Amtob Secretary General TIM Nurul Kabir, who signed the letter, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We sent the letter after they published the amended guideline on the website. We want the consultation time to be extended.” The consultation time has expired on August 29.
Earlier, the BTRC recommended awarding a Wi-max licence to Bangladesh Internet Exchange Ltd (BIEL) operating under
the brand Ollo, but it faced questions from the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications.
In a letter to the BTRC in July, the ministry asked whether the 3G auction would be affected in case the BIEL is awarded
with the same type of spectrum at a minimum price. The regulator is yet to reply the ministry.
“The government can ask questions and we will answer them on time,” BTRC Vice Chairman Giashuddin Ahmed said.
The Amtob letter also reads: “We note with regret that while the country is embarking on the 3G-era through an auction process, the proposed amendments are going to make the BWA licensing highly questionable and controversial.”
It said according to the national frequency allocation plan, 2,600MHz had been marked as international mobile telecommunication band following ITU recommendations for mobile broadband, whereas the BTRC had recommended three Wi-max licences on the bands for robust connectivity.
Michael Kuehner, managing director and CEO of Robi, at a press conference on Sunday said: “We have serious concern
about the guideline of BWA, before the sitting on 3G auction investors will have decided on it.”
Kuehner, also the chairman of Amtob, said they were considering about the whole matter to take the final decision.
Telecom Minister Sahara Khatun told the Dhaka Tribune: “Spectrum is a very valuable resource and we will think about it
before making the final decision. Mobile operators will not find anything to be worried about.”