Broadband News: BTCL to launch broadband internet by Dec, 2008

Courtesy: bdnews24.com

Nov 13, 2008
The Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) says it has decided to launch broadband internet service through outsourcing by December.

The BTCL board at a meeting presided over by chairman Muhammad Mahbubur Rahman made the decision on Thursday, the company said in a press statement.

The board also decided on the procurement policy and awarding incentives to the company's staffers.

WIMAX News: BRAC's BDmail declines Wimax licence

courtesy: bdnews24.com

Dhaka, Nov 15 2008

BRAC's BDmail Network has declined a licence to operate Wimax in Bangladesh.

"BRAC BDmail will not pay for the licence. They informed us in a letter," BTRC chairman Monzurul Alam told bdnews24.com Saturday.

The company sent the letter to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission last week.

"As per our guidelines, we will invite the company who gave the next highest bid in auction. We will make a final decision on Sunday," said the BTRC chief.

The telecoms regulator had already extended the deadline for payment of the licence fee from Oct. 16 to Nov. 15, on request by BDMail and another licence winner BanglaLion Communications.

The winning companies must pay Tk 215 crore for each licence, 50 percent by the deadline and the rest in the next 90 days.

Aguree Wireless was the third licence winner in an open auction in September. Vitel Bangla came fourth among the bidders.

Abdus Salam, consortium member of Vitel Bangla, told benews24.com: "If BTRC invites us, we will pay for the licence."

Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited will also apply for the remaining licence, said a BTCL official.

According to the licence guidelines, WiMax operators will initially have to install 90 base stations and expand their network within three years. More than 60 percent foreign investment will not be allowed, though non-resident Bangladeshis may invest 70 percent.

Broadband News: BTRC slashes bandwidth fee for rural access

courtesy: bdnews24.com

Monday, 10-Nov-2008
Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has slashed the domestic bandwidth charge by 60 percent to reach the internet facilities to the rural people who have been on the wrong side of the digital divide.

The latest cut in charges, second in five months, takes effect from Dec.1, the telecoms regulator said in a press statement on Monday.

The BTRC has issued a circular on the service providers stating that the move came in order to help upgrade the living standards in the countryside by providing easy access to internet, the BTRC release said.

The authorities also instructed the mobile operators, PSTN operators and ISP to reschedule their charges by Nov. 13 in line with the reduced charges.

"The drop in the bandwidth charges by 60 percent will facilitate internet facilities in the remote villages to help alleviate poverty and ensure development there," BTRC chairman retired major general Manzurul Alam told bdnews24.com

"The use of internet and broadband will see a jump nationwide after the move gets effective."

As per the reduced charges Tk 200-250 per km for 50 km, Tk 155-200 per km for 51-100 km, Tk120-160 per km for 101-200 km, Tk100-130 per km for 201-300 km, Tk75-95 per km for 301 km and above have been fixed.