Airtel’s rejoinder
An article, titled “Airtel enjoys spectrum worth billions for free,” was published in your publication on June 2, 2013. The article alleges that Bharti Airtel has received additional GSM spectrum without paying any charges, hence causing loss of revenue to the government.
At the outset, we would like to categorically deny the allegations made in the article and state that the article has misrepresented facts.
For your benefit, some important facts related to this matter are given below:
Bharti Airtel maintains the highest standards of corporate governance and has always been in compliance with regulations laid down by the government and other relevant authorities.
In 2005, the company (then Warid Telecom) paid $50 million (Tk.3.31bn) for license and spectrum as per the contract conditions. The license fee was the highest by any operator at that time.
In 2010, to ensure a level playing field for all operators, BTRC allotted 5 MHz spectrum in 900 MHz band (E-GSM) to the company in place of 5 MHz spectrum in 1800 MHz band (duly surrendered by the company). As per the Cellular Mobile Phone Operator Regulatory and Licensing Guidelines 2011, the spectrum assignment fee for GSM, E-GSM and CDMA was fized at the same level i.e. Tk150 crore/MHz.
There has not been any loss of revenue to the government and all licensing conditions have been complied with by Bharti Airtel.
Needless to say your news item has caused immense damage to our reputation.
Our reply
Our report is based on the audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General’s Office, which said the government lost around Tk1.2bn as telecom regulator BTRC has not collected the spectrum charge.
The CAG’s office in its report also asked the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission to give a clear and detailed explanation regarding the spectrum allocation and if unable, to collect the lost amount from the operator and inform the audit authority.
Nowhere in our report did we suggest any wrongdoing on the part of Airtel nor do we believe that the report impugns or harms Airtel’s reputation.
And nowhere in Airtel’s rejoinder has it contradicted or found fault with any fact presented in our report, and we stand by our reporting.
