Mobile operators slam policy
Dhaka, Feb 8 (bdnews24.com) — Four mobile phone operators have called for revising the draft telecom policy claiming that it would threaten their businesses.
From a joint press conference on Tuesday, heads of Grameenphone, Banglalink, Citycell and Robi said it would cost them around Tk 140 billion for renewing their licences and securing spectrum.
GP chief executive Oddvar Hesjedal, Citycell acting chief Mahfuzur Rahman, Robi chief Michael Kuehner and Bnaglalink's Ahmed Abou Doma, spoke at the press meet held around 2pm at Sonargaon Hotel.
The draft policy was published on Jan 20 with a provision to share 5.5 percent of their profits with the government. They would have to spend a further spend 1.5 percent profit as social obligation.
It proposes Tk 10 million for licence renewal, Tk 100,000 for licence application and Tk 50 million for annual licence fees.
Licences are to be renewed every 15 years. Spectrum fees were proposed at Tk 50,000, while spectrum assignment fees at Tk 1.5 billion for every megahertz of GSM 1800 band, Tk 3 billion for GSM 900 band and Tk 1.5 billion for CDMA technology. "The whole telecom industry will face a serious crisis if this policy is implemented," Hesjedal said.
Rahman said, "The additional charge proposed in the draft, if implemented, will burden the subscribers."
The operators would not be able to investment in technological improvement, he added. Speakers demanded appointment of consultants and said that the government should discuss with the operators before finalising the draft.
The Robi chief said: "The telecom sector that has created thousands of employment opportunities will turn to a loss-making company if the proposed policy is implemented."
The Banglalink chief claimed that operators would not be able to reach break-even if the policy came into effect.
Regarding the two other operators — Airtel and Teletalk — who do not have to renew their licences since their operation period did not exceed 15 years, the Banglalink official said: "There will be no level playing field if they don't have to pay the fees as well."
Asked if they had any proposal for the quantum of fees, Citycell's acting chief said they did not have such a proposal in mind. They would rather want government's consideration for a 'win-win situation'.
A proposal from the four operators has already been sent to the concerned ministry, the press conference was told.
From a joint press conference on Tuesday, heads of Grameenphone, Banglalink, Citycell and Robi said it would cost them around Tk 140 billion for renewing their licences and securing spectrum.
GP chief executive Oddvar Hesjedal, Citycell acting chief Mahfuzur Rahman, Robi chief Michael Kuehner and Bnaglalink's Ahmed Abou Doma, spoke at the press meet held around 2pm at Sonargaon Hotel.
The draft policy was published on Jan 20 with a provision to share 5.5 percent of their profits with the government. They would have to spend a further spend 1.5 percent profit as social obligation.
It proposes Tk 10 million for licence renewal, Tk 100,000 for licence application and Tk 50 million for annual licence fees.
Licences are to be renewed every 15 years. Spectrum fees were proposed at Tk 50,000, while spectrum assignment fees at Tk 1.5 billion for every megahertz of GSM 1800 band, Tk 3 billion for GSM 900 band and Tk 1.5 billion for CDMA technology. "The whole telecom industry will face a serious crisis if this policy is implemented," Hesjedal said.
Rahman said, "The additional charge proposed in the draft, if implemented, will burden the subscribers."
The operators would not be able to investment in technological improvement, he added. Speakers demanded appointment of consultants and said that the government should discuss with the operators before finalising the draft.
The Robi chief said: "The telecom sector that has created thousands of employment opportunities will turn to a loss-making company if the proposed policy is implemented."
The Banglalink chief claimed that operators would not be able to reach break-even if the policy came into effect.
Regarding the two other operators — Airtel and Teletalk — who do not have to renew their licences since their operation period did not exceed 15 years, the Banglalink official said: "There will be no level playing field if they don't have to pay the fees as well."
Asked if they had any proposal for the quantum of fees, Citycell's acting chief said they did not have such a proposal in mind. They would rather want government's consideration for a 'win-win situation'.
A proposal from the four operators has already been sent to the concerned ministry, the press conference was told.
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