Anisul Islam Noor :
The government was deprived of revenues Tk 2000 crore in last two years from international incoming calls in Bangladesh as it fell to 6 crore minutes from 10 crore to 11 crore minutes per day and indecision to fix up call revenue sharing with IGW.
But two years ago, there were 10 crore to 11 crore minutes calls everyday. That means the number of international calls fell by almost 50 percent in two years.
Telecom experts said, the number of international calls dropped due to lack of transparency. It means the government’s income from the sector has been decreasing. The International Gateway (IGW) operators bring per call at Tk 1.60, but the government is paying a share of Tk 1.20.
In the last two years, the government’s revenue loss has already crossed Tk 2000 crore due to indecision for call rate and revenue sharing. The recommendations of the Prime Minister to reduce financial losses are not implemented.
BTRC prepared some specific proposals in April this year raising government revenue from international calls. One of these proposals was to increase the share of government earning from 40 percent to 43 percent for international call business.
Another suggestion was to reduce the maximum cost of bringing international calls to Tk 1.28 from Tk 2.8. Revenue will be shared with the government and other parties as per ratio of incoming calls. Although these decisions were taken in consultation with all stakeholders including IGW, but none of this has been implemented yet.
BTRC formed a 13-member committee for this purpose. In addition to the BTRC, representatives of Postal and Telecommunication Department, Ministry of Finance and National Board of Revenue (NBR) were also in this committee.
According to the BTRC sources, instead of implementing the recommendations of the previous committee, it has now decided to negotiate with all parties again.
Replying to a question BTRC Chairman Shahjahan Mahmud said, the BTRC took an initiative to find out the specific reasons for the decline of international calls. Action will be taken as per the investigation and study regarding it.
According to the rules, 40 per cent revenue of per minute international call, BTRC will get 17.5 pc, ICX 22.5 percent for mobile operator and the remaining 20 per cent for IGW companies.
The sector insider said that since June 24, 2015, the number of calls has declined after the IOF (IGW Operator Forum) got the control on international call business.
After three months of formation of IOF, the call rate was increased from Tk 1.20 to Tk 1.60.
Though the call rate increases, IGW only gets Tk 0.40. There is a complaint that the government cannot take any decision on call rates and sharing of income due to an influential group involved with IOF. Sources said.
Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) TIM Nurul Kabir said, there is a lack of supervision and transparency in governing the international call business.
It is necessary to ensure that no group can take advantage of the scope of weaknesses.
