The government is mulling over issuing one more 3G licence, after 15MHz spectrum went unsold in the spectrum auction held this Sunday, said high officials at the telecom ministry.
The spectrum auction of the 2,100 band created much-hype but did not live up to the expectations as only 25MHz of spectrum was acquired by four mobile operators, leaving 37.5% of the chunk unsold.
Meanwhile, sources at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) said Grmameenphone and Robi would be handed over their 3G licences for 15 years today while there had been no word on the licences of Airtel and Banglalink.
They said Airtel had not paid the licence and spectrum fees while Banglalink had made a partial payment, so the decision on their licences depended on the BTRC chairman.
Grameenphone and Robi had sought the no objection certificates from the regulator to import 3G equipment, which they might get today, said the sources.
Experts said there was enough space for another 3G operator in the country and that might bring good competition with quality service.
“We can consider one more licence if we find any renowned operator after consulting with the experts. If the telecom regulator makes any such recommendations, I will positively consider it,” Telecommunications Minister Advocate Shahara Khatun told the Dhaka Tribune.
Before the auction, BTRC Chairman Sunil Kanti Bose told the media that they might consider awarding more licences for 3G mobile service, if all 40MHz of spectrum is not bought out by the existing operators.
Following the auction, Bose saida decision over the unsold spectrum must be taken after talking to the government, meaning, BTRC are not in favour of leaving the spectrum unused.
He said: “Spectrum is a very costly natural resource, which is also limited so we cannot leave it unused. International Telecommunication Union have also given us directions about it.”
Meanwhile, BTRC’s 3G Consultant Abdullah Ferdous in his report on the spectrum auction suggested that the regulator should look for another operator for the unsold spectrum.
“I do not think the remaining 15 MHz is a burden on BTRC, rather, it is an asset with more revenue potentials. Actually that remaining spectrum will soon be desired by mobile operators, creating unprecedented competitions,” Abdullah Ferdous told the Dhaka Tribune.
Sources at the BTRC claimed, Abdullah Ferdous wants to take the responsibility of arranging another auction, attended by even bigger globalplayers. At the same time, he also assuredof more money than what the government got from the four operators.
Abdullah Ferdous, a renowned consultant, works in UK and has served different European firms. He came in the country just for the 3G spectrum auction and his contract as BTRC’s 3G consultant ended Tuesday.
Michael Kuehner, RobiAxiata CEO & Managing Director said: “We bought spectrum in the auction according to our company’s plans, and we will welcome new competitors. We are not scared about it.”
In the auction, market leader Grameenphone acquired 10MHz while Robi, Airtel and Banglalink bought 5MHz each. The price fixed by the auction was $21m per MHz excluding 5% VAT.
Only state-owned operator Teletalk took 10MHz of spectrum by default and has to match the price fixed at the auction according to the guideline.
However, the oldest mobile phone operator in the country,Citycell applied for 3G licence, but did not participate in the auction.
There is provision for a new operator in the 3G guideline, but no one could be found before the last date of application submission on August 12. Though a Korean company had come and applied to extend the date, BTRC did not allow it.
