Higher govt fees for 4G licensing will limit mobile operators’ services: GSMA

Global mobile operators’ organisation GSMA has urged Bangladesh to reconsider its plans to impose higher 4G licensing fees in the next round of spectrum auctions.

The organisation said the higher fees would limit providers’ ability to meet the promise of a ‘Digital Bangladesh’ and affect the future of mobile broadband services in Bangladesh.

Lower prices could aid the deployment of affordable voice and data services.

“New research links high spectrum prices with lower quality mobile services. In short, mobile operators have less capital left for new networks and services,” said GSMA Head of Spectrum Brett Tarnutzer.

“Reasonable spectrum fees are key to achieving the Digital Bangladesh objectives. Operators should be able to use their resources to build networks for high-quality mobile services.”

The levying of additional fees could deter operators from pursuing such services, Tarnutzer said, citing evidence from India, Ghana, Mozambique and Senegal.

It would be damaging to the country’s economy, depriving people and businesses of the full advantages of ‘high quality’ mobile broadband services, he added.

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with almost 300 companies in the broader mobile sector.