4G internet will roll out in Bangladesh by December: Tarana

The government targets to launch 4G internet services through telecom operators by December, State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim has said.

For this, it hopes to wrap up the spectrum auction in November, she said while briefing the media at the Posts and Telecommunications Division on Wednesday.

“We have set tentative deadlines as we lack control over certain things, for example, import of equipment.”

In the process, the government hopes to earn Tk 110 billion, she added.

Certain changes have been made in the draft of the ‘guidelines for spectrum allocation’ before finalisation.

“Now, the foreign partner of any of the operators can take loans from any bank of Bangladesh,” Tarana said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has approved the guidelines for spectrum allocation and 4G licensing, she added.

“Operators can bid for 2100 megahertz, 1800 megahertz and 900 megahertz during the auction. Any new operator can bid for 2100 megahertz. If won, it can bid for two other spectrums.”

The spectrums will be 'technology neutral', thus usable to provide 2G, 3G, and 4G services, according to the state minister.

For converting spectrums, operators will be charged $7.5 million per megahertz. Application fee for 4G licence has been set at Tk 500,000. Licence can be obtained at Tk 100 million and the annual licence renewal fee is Tk 50 million.

“We have kept the call record option for preserving information,” Tarana said.

"Operators did not bid for spectrum during the 2013 auction. This time the auction will make 4G available to the people and also improve telecom services.”

As per the guidelines, base price for 1800 megahertz is $30 million, for 3G 2100 megahertz it is $27 million and base price for 900 megahertz is $30 million.

A meeting will be held with the operators over the auction but the rates are likely to remain the same, she said.

There is no scope for being frugal when buying spectrum, Tarana said. “Market is more competitive now since the Robi-Airtel merger. Some are competing to survive while some are trying to reach the number one position.”

“So we have cut down the rates taking into account the operators’ opinions. The government will not compromise in terms of the quality of services.”

The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh or AMTOB, however, says the ministry has overlooked some factors crucial to launching 4G services.

“The guidelines are not investment-friendly. It does not address some important factors,” TIM Nurul Kabir, Secretary General of AMTOB, told bdnews24.com.

He, however, refused to point out the “important factors.”

“We hope the government will reconsider our concerns and help MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) to introduce 4G services in order to pave the way for a Digital Bangladesh.”