The WiMAX operators in the country could offer LTE or long-term evolution services, the latest broadband technology for mobile communication, as the telecom regulator has proposed to amend the Broadband Wireless Access licensing guideline, said officials.
They said the regulator — Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission — in the draft amendment had also kept the provision to issue BWA licences to another two or three new firm for spreading internet connectivity rapidly in rural areas, as the existing two WiMAX operators have failed to rollout their networks by the stipulated time. At present, Banglalion and Qubee are offering WiMAX internet connectivity under BWA category.
Talking to BSS, Abubakar Siddique, post and telecommunication secretary, said BTRC had sent a proposal to the
ministry for bringing few amendments in BWA guideline keeping the provision of new WiMAX licences and technology neutrality.
‘We are now seeking public opinion to bring changes in the BWA licensing guideline. After getting the comments from the experts, we will finalise the amendment of the guideline soon,’ he added.
The telecom ministry will receive public opinions on the amendment of BWA guideline till August 29.
‘Finally, the regulator will decide how many licences will be issued,’ the secretary added.
According to the BWA guideline, the WiMAX operators were supposed to reach their coverage to 64 districts, including upazilas and villages, in phases by five years of receiving the licences.
However, both the operators failed to fulfil the obligation despite getting the licences in September, 2008.
They also failed to reach the target of having a subscriber base of 0.5 million each.
Currently, two operators together have collected 0.504 million users in different parts of the country.
Considering the aspects, the authorities have brought some changes in the proposed amendment in the existing BWA guideline.
In the proposed amendment of BWA guideline, it is mentioned that ‘The commission is encouraging other companies to provide BWA service by filling in the vacuum of overall rollout plan which the existing BWA licence holders namely Banglalion
Communication and Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh known as Qubee failed to achieve.’
It also mentioned that the commission wants to protect interest of the local consumers and control and abolish the existing and probable oppressive or monopolistic conduct or activities of the telecommunication service providers.
Talking about the issue, BTRC chairman Sunil Kanti Bose said making the broadband internet connectivity available in rural areas is much important for attaching people with the information technology.
‘But, the two WiMAX operators that were issued licence for increasing data subscribers rapidly could not rollout by this time,’ he added.
Emphasising building network infrastructure across the country, the BTRC chairman said his commission will break the monopoly of some companies by widening the licences in some categories for creating competition.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Internet Exchange, which has a brand named Ollo, has applied for WiMAX licence. At present Ollo, a Russia-based multinational company, is doing broadband internet business in the country taking ISP licence.
-With New Age input
