Amid the technological advancement in the country, mobile operators will soon be able to provide Wi-Fi services to customers with SIM-based routers.
However, Internet service providers (ISPs) have objected to this step.
Soon, all licenses of mobile operators will come under a single license, also known as a unique or unified license, that will cover all 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, or later technologies or services.
According to the sources, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) will hand over the unique licenses to the mobile operators on March 7. This license will be given for 15 years.
The guidelines for this unique or unified license specifically outline the provision of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services for mobile operators, thereby allowing them to offer this service to their customers.
Official’s opinion
Sheikh Reaz Ahmed, commissioner of the spectrum management division of BTRC, said they have seen SIM-based Wi-Fi routers made by a local company. “The company has complied with all the issues. Hopefully, they will not face any problems getting approval.”
He added that users will be able to work with the SIM-based, wireless routers from wherever they are and will get good reception as well.
Responding to another question, Sheikh Reaz Ahmed said there will be no conflict between fixed broadband Wi-Fi (ISP) and fixed wireless broadband (mobile internet). These services are different and two types of organizations will provide them.
“Mobile phone operators could not provide this service before. This opportunity is available under the unique license, he added.
Stakeholders’ plans
In addition to various other brands of SIM-based routers available in the country, such as TP-LINK, local company Walton has applied for BTRC approval to produce SIM-based routers. Pending approval, Walton plans to commence production.
In this regard, Liakat Ali, additional managing director of Walton Digi-Tech Industries Limited, said: "We applied to the BTRC to produce SIM-based Wi-Fi routers as a manufacturer. In that context, BTRC visited our factory on Wednesday (February 28). We have complied with the BTRC's conditions. Hopefully, we will get approval to produce SIM-based WiFi-Fi routers.”
Chief Corporate and Regulatory Officer at Robi Axiata Limited Shahed Alam said: "If we get the license, we will also launch this service (fixed wireless broadband) gradually. The FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) service uses 5G or 4G LTE wireless technology."
Asked whether the new service conflicts with the broadband services of ISPs (Internet Service Providers), Emdadul Haque, president of the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB), said: "We have objections. We have been repeatedly told that local entrepreneurs (ISP businessmen) will be protected while giving unique licenses.”
He said that they will sit with the Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and BTRC on behalf of the organization soon.
If the matter is not resolved, local entrepreneurs will be at risk, he added.
