Operators ready for 3G auction, seek clarifications
The VAT rebate issue for 2G licence renewal needs no further clarification from the government as the court will resolve the matter, said Bangladesh Telecommunication
Regulatory Commission chairman Sunil Kanti Bose on Saturday.
‘When a matter is sub judice the government cannot clarify it further until the court gives its verdict. The operators went to the court about the 15 per cent VAT rebate issue and the court will decide the rest,’ he said in reply when the mobile phone operators demanded clarification about the issue ahead of 3G auction.
He commented that there was nothing unclear about the VAT rebate issue.
‘The court gave rule against mobile operators in four cases and one is still pending. So there is nothing more to clear on this matter. I will personally appreciate if they get the rebate,’ Bose said in a seminar organised by GSM Association in a city hotel.
Robi chief executive officer Michael Kuehner said that the operators were ready to participate in the 3G auction but the issue regarding VAT and SIM tax needed to be resolved soon.
He said the mobile operators needed security of their investment.
‘The stability of policies and security of investment is very important for this industry. The VAT rebate issue is also very important ahead of the 3G auction,’ he said.
Grameenphone chief executive officer Vivek Sood said although the VAT rebate and SIM tax issues were coming into talks in a repeated fashion for last several months, the issues were yet to be solved.
‘We are really looking forward to the issues to get resolved soon. As a business we have to do what is right for the company and our valued customers. We are fully aligned with government’s vision of digital Bangladesh,’ he said.
Ziad Shatara, CEO of Banglalink, said, ‘We, as an operator, is ready to take part in the 3G auction, but the issue is depending on the response of regulator.’
The mobile operators in several occasion said a rebate on 15 per cent VAT they paid for the 2G license renewal was a pre-requisite for them to participate in the 3G spectrum auction scheduled on September 2.
Information minister Hasanul Haq Inu firmly advocated for omitting the SIM tax and VAT for the mobile operators.
‘As a minister of this government I would like to request the authorities concerned to resolve the issue soon. I will place the issue to the prime minister for her consideration,’ he said.
Telecommunications minister Sahara Khatun said the government was determined to build a digital Bangladesh.
‘We are committed to build the digital Bangladesh and formulating policies considering that goal,’ she said while speaking as chief guest in the GSMA seminar titled Telecom Policy for National Development.
Science and information communication technology minister Mostafa Faruk Mohammad was also present.
-With New Age input
