Modem based Broadband Internet Service [BIS] is becoming increasingly popular in Bangladesh, while Banglalion brand is gradually turning into dominant player with Qubee at the second position. Another Service name Zoom, which is offered by Bangladesh’s only CDMA mobile phone operators Citicel is loosing market because of its extremely poor service and the company fails to ensure uninterrupted network to the customers.
Banglalion broadband internet service WiMax is offered by Banglalion Communication Limited is one of the companies that obtained WiMax licenses.
Banglalion Communications Ltd is the leading BWA operators in Bangladesh having nationwide license in 2.5 GHz band. It is committed to build a connected Bangladesh through wireless telecom solutions and create a new impact on our business, society, economy, lifestyle and people surrounding.
Banglalion WiMAX brings the latest technology which enables customer to enjoy high speed connectivity which is mobile and wireless. Understanding that people and businesses in Bangladesh need and want faster, accessible, and affordable wireless broadband services it is working hard to ensure those. Banglalion claims to be a company with integrity, dynamism, commitment and innovation who are making sure smooth, uninterrupted services for data, video and voice.
Banglalion is:
” Providing a wireless alternative to cable and DSL for broadband access.
” Providing data and telecommunications services.
” Providing a source of Internet connectivity as part of a business continuity plan. That is, if a business has both a fixed and a wireless Internet connection, especially from unrelated providers, they are unlikely to be affected by the same service outage.
” Providing portable connectivity.
Banglalion is already present in 7 divisional headquarters [Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna, Rangpur and Barisal] with its network. Almost every day Banglalion is covering new areas through planned network expansion to cover whole Bangladesh gradually.
Qubee, introduced by The Augure Bangladesh, is the newest player in the market providing fast broadband internet services WiMax to residential and business customers across Bangladesh. The company says, “Our aim is to make a magical internet experience available to everyone, everyday, without exception.”
Qubee is the creation of a group of global telecoms professionals who saw that a new technology called 4G could really change the internet experience for millions of people worldwide. The company is building a network of base stations to offer its brand of internet access right across Bangladesh. Though it started in Dhaka and becoming popular within a short span of time, Qubee is planning to expand its network through the country within next few months. The company provides 2Mbps speed with the following packages:
* Additional charge of BDT 0.15/MB beyond Usage Allowance is applicable in all packages except Sky. BDT figures in above table indicate monthly fee.
QUBEE also offers mini pack @ BDT 550 + VAT with 256 Kbps speed and 3 GB usage limit.
Bangladesh’s largest mobile phone operators, Grameen Phone has also its own broadband internet service. Though initially it received tremendous response from the customers, but, since Banglalion and Qubee came in the market, people are quickly shifting to these WiMax internet services abandoning Grameen Phone. Customers also say Grameen Phone’s internet service possibly is the most expensive in the country. It may be mentioned here that, Grameen Phone introduced first ever GSM mobile phone service in Bangladesh. Similarly people are also not showing interest on internet service offered by other mobile phone operators like Banglalink, ROBI, and Airtel.
Citicel Zoom is the service is offered by country’s only CDMA 1X mobile phone operators Pacific Bangladesh Telecom Limited.
Citycell [Pacific Bangladesh Telecom Limited] has been converted into a Public Limited Company with effect from 28 March, 2008.
Shareholders of Pacific Bangladesh Telecom Limited are: Pacific Motors Limited, Pacific Traders Limited, Pacific Industries Limited, Far East Telecom Limited, SingTel Asia Pacific Investments Pte Ltd, SingTel Consultancy Pte Ltd and Singapore Telecom Paging Pte Ltd.
Though Citicel Zoom claims to be ‘Fastest Mobile Broadband in Bangladesh’, in reality, the customers of Citicel Zoom are suffering from constant drop in network, extremely slow speed and ghost billing. Most of the annoyed customers of Citicel Zoom are switching to either Bangallion or Qubee.
Information Technology [IT] specialists in Bangladesh are seeing tremendous prospect of further growth in the number of potential customers of both mobile phone and broadband internet in the country, when Bangladesh will be able to resolve its current energy crisis by 2015 and the country will be able to provide Personal Computer or Laptop to people at much affordable price. It may be mentioned here that, a Malaysian company has already started assembling ‘Doyel’ brand laptop in the country, retail price of which is between US$ 120 to US$ 300. The company will produce 10,000 pieces of laptops every year. It is estimated that, by 2014, the total demand for laptop in Bangladesh will cross half million pieces. Considering this huge market, a number of companies are already considering establishing laptop assembling factories in the country under joint venture.
IT specialists also feel that, with the growing number of Bangladeshis coming under internet network, there will be newer job opportunities for the people. It may be mentioned here that, millions of people in India and China are now working from home for several leading international companies and service providers.
-With The News Today input
