Robi subscribers will enjoy 3G technology in their old SIM cards from October without having to pay new fees.
They will receive a little more now that the private mobile operator announced 3.5G services for its customers in a press conference on Tuesday.
One will not require a new connection to enjoy Robi’s 3.5G, it will be accessible without a fee in old SIM’s, said Robi CEO and MD Michael Kuehner.
The service will be rooted in highly sophisticated technology, he said.
“The 3G that arrived 10 years ago was slow in speed. But the network has developed a lot making 3.5G a reality”, said Robi’s Chief Technology Officer AKM Morshed as he defined the service.
Robi is preceded by Grameenphone which was the first to announce 3G services. Banglalink and Airtel which also took part in the 3G auction to be allotted frequency are yet to make announcements.
Robi will start its 3.5G services in Dhaka in the beginning of October, said Kuehner, briefing the press at Hotel Ruposhi Bangla. It will be later extended to Chittagong, Sylhet and Comilla.
He, however, did not say when the entire country would come under its 3.5G service.
Kuener said they had already paid BTRC Tk 5.25 billion, i.e., 60 percent of the price for the frequency and will invest $ 200 million next year.
The licence issued to the operators will be valid for 15 years, according to 3G regulations.
The operators who took part in the auction will have to pay 60 per cent of the total fee as the first installment within 30 days. The rest must be paid up before the end of 180 working days, BTRC Chairman Sunil Kanti Bose had said after the end of auction on Sunday.
The licences will be issued seven to ten days after the money is paid.
The operators will have to pay a fine of Tk 500 million if they fail to commence the service in all the divisions within nine months.
Source: Bd news24