Mobile phone operator Robi on Tuesday said the 5MHz spectrum, which Robi won through an auction on Sunday for 3G service, will not be a barrier for ensuring service quality.
Robi made the comment against the backdrop of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission chairman Sunil Kanti Bose observation that the companies who took 5MHz spectrum in 3G auction would not be able to ensure service quality.
In the much-talked-about 3G auction leading operator Grameenphone took 10MHz with $210 million, while Banglalink, Robi and Airtel took 5MHz each with $105 million an operator.
‘Through our group experience in Axiata we have seen that 5MHz will not be a problem for Bangladesh. In India the mobile company Idea is providing high quality 3G service to their customers with 5MHz spectrum having a equal or higher subscriber base,’ Robi chief executive officer Michael Kuehner told reporters while announcing the rollout plan at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the city.
He said Robi would launch 3G service for their customers in October.
‘We will launch the service on a basis of high penetration probability. If we see a large customer base is ready anywhere we will launch the service there and move accordingly,’ he said.
He also said the company would invest $200 million in the coming year where most of the amount will be spent for 3G instalment.
Robi chief financial officer Mahtab Uddin Ahmed said the company already submitted 60 per cent of the auction price, which is around Tk 517 crore, to the BTRC.
‘We also applied for the no objection certificate to import the necessary machineries for 3G service,’ he said.
-With New Age input
