The Special Security Force that provides protection to VVIPs has got the licence to operate a high capacity IP telephony service, sources from the country’s telecom regulator have said.
IP telephony describes the technologies that use the Internet to exchange voice, fax and other forms of information that are traditionally being carried by PSTN or land line-based networks.
The Special Security Force (SSF) – a law enforcement agency that provides physical protection to the president, prime minister and foreign delegates – was awarded the licence with retrospective effect last week.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in a regular meeting on November 17 approved the license with 21 “E1 connections.”
A single E1 can serve at least 30 concurrent calls at a time. Saying they would be used for security purposes of the VIPs, the SSF wanted 33-50 “E1 connections” in their application dated August 5.
At present, there are 29 national IP Telephony Service Providers (IPTSP) licensees and 10 zonal licenses, although very few of them are in operation.
BDCOM Online Ltd, the leading IPTSP in the country, holds a majority of the market share, having more than 100,000 subscribers. They are currently operating only 12 E1 connections against the allocated 15.
After getting the IPTSP license, the SSF is now looking to get waiver of all the fees and charges, BTRC sources say.
Since there are interconnection issues involved, it will be tough for the regulator to waive the revenue sharing. But sources said it is possible if the government gives up its share.
Initially, SSF will run through the government-owned BTCL’s Interconnection Exchange (ICX). The force wants to set up a system for running 1,000-1,500 connections in the beginning and gradually expand up to 5,000.
The SSF has already set up an IPTSP network in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Soon, they want to lay similar networks at the president’s official residence Bangabhaban and PM’s Gonobhobon, the application says.
The existing telecom act neither necessitates a defence force to have a separate IPTSP licence, nor prohibits it. The act says security forces, including the army, will not need to have a licence; they can enjoy the facilities under existing arrangements.
Earlier, Bangladesh Army applied for an Internet Service Provider (ISP) license which is currently under the consideration of the BTRC.
Currently, state-owned Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) runs a red telephone exchange for the VIPs which is secured and always live.
