The government has cancelled licences of two more International Gateway (IGW) operators for failing to pay more than Tk230 crore as licence fees and revenue sharing.
Post and Telecommunication Division yesterday sent a letter to the telecom regulator asking to take necessary steps regarding the matter, the telecom ministry sources said.
Telex Limited and Vision Tel Ltd lost the licences this time while the government earlier cancelled licences of another two IGW operators. Cases have been filed with the court against the operators as they are on default of fees.
The regulator, BTRC moved to cancel licence of Telex Ltd in October 2013 as the company had a due of Tk62.47 crore. BTRC sought approval from the ministry to the cancellation of licence. Telex will now have to pay a total of over Tk80 crore including licence and late fees.
Telex’s call termination was blocked in 2013 as the revenue sharing amount and licence fees were not paid.
Two non-resident Bangladeshis – Abdur Rahman and Mohammad Mojibur Rahman – own Telex. The owners have remained “traceless” for last more than one year, said BTRC.
According to the sources concerned, the owners left the country just after termination call blocking.
BTRC served show-cause notices to Telex and got no reply from them who didn’t event contact the regulator after that.
Another IGW operator, Vision Tel Ltd may be next to lose licence. Vision Tel’s dues now stand at Tk138.76 crore.
Vision Tel transferred its share twice during the first year of its launching. The company is currently owned by Md Shariful Islam, Rashel Mirza and Md Ziaur Rahman.
Mobile phone operator Grameenphone also filed cases against Vision Tel and Telex for outstanding bills which they owe to the Grameenphone.
According to the IGW guideline, the IGWs got 3 US cents per minute of international incoming call. The operators needed to share 51.75% of its earnings with the regulator.
They also were required to share 20% with mobile phone operators and 15% with ICXs operators.
In December 2014, the government approved licence cancellation of two IGW operators – Ratul Telecom and Key Telecommunication Ltd. However, BTRC is yet complete the process. These two companies are backed by politically influential persons.
Ratul Telecom, 50% of which owned by Syeda Amrin Rakhi, daughter of former state minister and Awami League leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and 20% by Nanak’s wife Syeda Arzumand Banu, started operations in October 2012.
Kay Telecommunications Ltd was owned by ruling party lawmaker Shamim Osman’s wife Salma Osman and his two sons Tanvir Ahmed and Imtinan Osman. The shares were reportedly transferred to three people - Md Shakawat Hossain, Debabrata Chowdhury and Md Rakibul Islam.
For dues, calls of SM Communication and Bestech Telecom, another two IGWs, were also blocked in 2013.
These six IGWs owe Tk588.63 crore including Tk10.13 crorse Vat to the regulator. In addition, they will have to pay 15% charge for delaying payment of dues.
Besides, officials said the IGW companies didn’t deposit licence fees. The operators’ licence fees amounted to Tk15 crore each for 2013 and Tk7.5 crore for 2014.
