Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has declared all five private mobile-phone operators fit for for auction for 3G licence.
Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, Airtel and Citycell applied for purchasing third generation (3G) mobile phone service spectrum in Aug 12.
BTRC Legal and Licensing Department Commissioner Abdus Samad on Sunday told bdnews24.com: “We have reviewed their applications and announced those eligible.”
Besides them, state-owned operator Teletalk will also take part in the auction, the commissioner said.
The auction will be held with these six operators on Sept 8.
Three among the five private mobile-phone operators will receive 3G licence for 15 years. Teletalk will have to purchase the service technology with the same rate raised in the auction.
On Feb 12, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications had finalised the licensing guidelines for the 3G services by fixing the spectrum fees at $20 million per MHz.
The ministry sent the final 3G guideline to the telecom regulator to open up the mobile broadband technology through auction to the private operators.
According to the guideline, three private and one new operator, considered a foreign-owned one, would get the licence. But no foreign company applied by Aug 12.
BTRC has hinted another private operator from the country might get that licence.
Teletalk is already providing the first 3G services on a trial basis. The government-run company launched the services in capital Dhaka on Oct 14 last year. Recently, it also launched the services in port city of Chittagong.
Source: UNBConnect
