Mobile telecom operators Grameenphone, Robi and Banglalink are likely to launch 3G services in Dhaka by October, sources said.
Market leader GP is scheduling a soft launch for September and is likely to go commercial with 3G services in early October in some parts of Dhaka and Chittagong metropolitan.
In Sunday’s auction, GP bought 10 megahertz of 3G spectrum for $221m.
GP has already deposited Tk9.796bn as spectrum charge and another Tk100m as licence fee. But it is still to pay the 5% VAT which amount Tk489.8m, sources from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission stated.
“Grameenphone have deposit the fees and sought no objection certificate (NOC). We are considering the issues and expect that the operators will roll out their network in the quickest possible time,” BTRC Chairman Sunil Kanti Bose told the Dhaka Tribune in his office Monday.
He also said chances are high that the regulator would issues licenses to the operator in about a week.
“We are nearly ready for 3G launch. We have already selected our equipment and will start filing the bookings once we get the NOC,” said Tanveer Mohammad, chief technology officer of GP. Sources said GP might get the NOC on Tuesday.
Sources said Banglalink had plans to launch 3G services in Dhaka on October 15. The operator, however, has yet to make any official announcement in this regard.
Robi, the other operator who bought spectrum Monday, is likely to announce its date for kicking off 3G in a press conference very soon, said a high-ranking Robi official.
Both Robi and Banglalink are likely to submit their spectrum charges and licence fees today.
In a press conference earlier, GP said it would extend 3G services to the rest of Dhaka, Narayanganj and Gazipur districts by November.
By December, it would take the services to all the divisional headquarters and by March, 2014, it would bring all of its 45 million customers under 3G coverage.
Initially, GP would not charge the subscribers for converting to 3G. The subscribers would only have to pay the package charges.
GP CEO Vivek Sood made the announcement at a press conference in Hotel Sonargaon.
The telecom operator has also been communicating with local banks with a view to collaborate on the project, said the CEO.