Anisul Islam Noor :
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has taken initiatives to bring neutrality in using spectrum technology for 2G and 3G for clearing rout to install 4G services soon.
A technical committee headed by the spectrum division commissioner has already been formed in this regard to address the related issues, BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood told reporters at his office yesterday.
The BTRC, in a recent commission meeting, has taken the decision following the government’s plan to allow technology neutrality for the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands.
He added: “We will go for technology neutrality after completing the mobile number portability auction. We are committed to offering better connectivity with faster data connections, and there is no option but to allow technology neutrality.”
After getting technology neutrality in the 1800MHz and 900 MHz bands, the operators can offer services through any technology (2G/3G/4G/LTE), using any of the frequencies they have, which will ensure better services for customers, he said.
The mobile phone operators have long been placing this demand, which will help them get technological benefits in both voice and data services.
Spectrum allocation in the country is service specific as the 900MHz and 1800MHz band spectrum is assigned for only 2G services and
the 2100MHz band spectrum is for 3G services. Only Bangladesh is yet to offer 4G services in South Asia, BTRC sources said.
The 2100MHz is also allowed for 4G services, but it will require a separate service guideline, which is yet to be formulated.
If technology neutrality is allowed, then the operators can start 4G services with 1800MHz, which will be cost-effective for them, the sources said.
In this region, operators are allowed to take technological neutrality, and all of them are using the 1800MHz band for 4G services. Some countries are also allowed both the 1800 MHz and 900 MHz bands for 4G services, said another senior official of the regulator.
The top two mobile phone operators Grameenphone and Robi have already requested the regulator for a 4G services guideline.
BTRC officials said the 2G spectrum price will also be adjusted under the review, as technology neutrality would make the 1800MHz band more lucrative.
Currently, the 10.60MHz spectrum is available in two blocks for auction in the 1800MHz band or 2G services.
The base price was set at $30 million for 1800MHz in 2015 when BTRC was trying to hold an auction for the remaining spectrum of 2G and 3G (2100MHz).
The BTRC, however, could not hold the auction after changing the date three times as the mobile phone operators said they will not participate if the government did not settle a Tk 3,000 crore tax dispute with the operators.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has taken initiatives to bring neutrality in using spectrum technology for 2G and 3G for clearing rout to install 4G services soon.
A technical committee headed by the spectrum division commissioner has already been formed in this regard to address the related issues, BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood told reporters at his office yesterday.
The BTRC, in a recent commission meeting, has taken the decision following the government’s plan to allow technology neutrality for the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands.
He added: “We will go for technology neutrality after completing the mobile number portability auction. We are committed to offering better connectivity with faster data connections, and there is no option but to allow technology neutrality.”
After getting technology neutrality in the 1800MHz and 900 MHz bands, the operators can offer services through any technology (2G/3G/4G/LTE), using any of the frequencies they have, which will ensure better services for customers, he said.
The mobile phone operators have long been placing this demand, which will help them get technological benefits in both voice and data services.
Spectrum allocation in the country is service specific as the 900MHz and 1800MHz band spectrum is assigned for only 2G services and
the 2100MHz band spectrum is for 3G services. Only Bangladesh is yet to offer 4G services in South Asia, BTRC sources said.
The 2100MHz is also allowed for 4G services, but it will require a separate service guideline, which is yet to be formulated.
If technology neutrality is allowed, then the operators can start 4G services with 1800MHz, which will be cost-effective for them, the sources said.
In this region, operators are allowed to take technological neutrality, and all of them are using the 1800MHz band for 4G services. Some countries are also allowed both the 1800 MHz and 900 MHz bands for 4G services, said another senior official of the regulator.
The top two mobile phone operators Grameenphone and Robi have already requested the regulator for a 4G services guideline.
BTRC officials said the 2G spectrum price will also be adjusted under the review, as technology neutrality would make the 1800MHz band more lucrative.
Currently, the 10.60MHz spectrum is available in two blocks for auction in the 1800MHz band or 2G services.
The base price was set at $30 million for 1800MHz in 2015 when BTRC was trying to hold an auction for the remaining spectrum of 2G and 3G (2100MHz).
The BTRC, however, could not hold the auction after changing the date three times as the mobile phone operators said they will not participate if the government did not settle a Tk 3,000 crore tax dispute with the operators.
