SOME known business manipulators along with a vested quarter in the government high-ups are again active in grabbing the 35 billion worth business of the International Gateways (IGWs). This daily on Thursday reported that there is an attempt to create a hegemony over the IGWs which seems to be a serious concern for the operators who act as intermediaries on international phone calls. There is apprehension of illegal transactions in international call termination business in collaboration with the ruling party leaders. This is all to siphon of money from the exchequer.
Reports said, the Telecom Ministry created pressure on Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to form a forum of IGW operators dividing them into two tiers violating conditions of IGW licensing. Only seven IGWs out of the 23s, called Tier -2, will form the forum namely International Gateway Operators’ Forum (IOF). It is a blessed group of the ruling class. The another group is called Tier -1.
An influential ruling party MP recommended issuing licenses favouring Digicon Telecommunication, a member of Tier -2. The company was blocked from IGW connection in July 2013 as it did not pay revenue to BTRC. Furthermore, an influential leader and a businessman adviser to the ruling party bosses have an active interest in this business . Those who took part in pressuring IGWs to join the forum include a minister, confirmed the report. Thus, most Tier-2 operators have a mutual interest link and belong to the ruling party.
Moreover, there will be a bank account of Tier-2 operators to handle the transactions of all international call terminations. Other operators will transact their funds through this account to handover the revenue to the stakeholders such as BTRC, ICXs (Interconnection Exchanges) and ANSs (mobile and fixed phone operators). As per IGW guidelines, the revenue sharing pattern is 40 percent for BTRC, 17.5 percent for ICXs and 22.5 percent for ANSs. The new plan proposes profit sharing on a ratio of 1:1.9 between Tier-1 and Tier-2 operators after deducting government revenue. Thus Tier-2 operators will get the opportunity to almost double their profits. IGWs pay a share of its revenues to BTRC every two months, which will provide option to Tier-2 operators to make huge interest on these amounts. Operators apprehend, by causing deliberate delays Tier-2 operators will make an additional income amounting to billions of Takas.
In the name of controlling the IGW, there is a deep-rooted conspiracy to monopolise the telecom sectors by some ruling party men and their subservient allies. By doing such grabbing, they are likely to bring another scam involving the government like the stock market. Tragically, it seems the government machinery are helpless to save national interests because of the manipulators who exert more power than anybody else.
