The lone state-owned mobile phone operator Teletalk has filed an application for 3G (third generation) spectrum, telecom regulator sources confirmed on Tuesday.
"They have submitted their application for the 3G spectrum on Monday with all the supporting documents," a high official of Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission told the Dhaka Tribune.
Teletalk has been providing 3G servicse to its subscribers commercially on a test trial basis from 14 October last year.
Currently the company has 150,000 3G subscribers.
Teletalk has deployed its 3G network in the capital city Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj and Chittagong. They are in the process of expanding their 3G network to Sylhet and Cox's Bazar.
According to the guidelines, the regulator will award three licenses to the bid winners from the five existing operators and a new one. The state-run operator, Teletalk, has already gotten the 3G license by default. The tenure of the 3G license will be for 15 years.
The regulator will offer a 5-Megahertz (MHz) slot for spectrums in 2100 band; the floor price of per MHz spectrum has been fixed at US$20m. According to the guideline, 60% of the total price of the spectrum assignment has to be paid in the first installment within 60 days of auction and the remaining 40% in the second installment by 180 days.
