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More than one new foreign cellular phone operators would get 3G licence, as the telecom regulator decided to rearrange the slot for spectrum assignment of the mobile broadband technology, said officials, reports BSS.
They said the telecom ministry has decided to incorporate the provision for more foreign operators in the final 3G Guideline against one fixed in the draft guideline.
Abubakar Siddique, secretary (In-Charge) of post and telecommunication said the regulator will offer a 5- Megahertz (MHz) slot for spectrum that would pave the way for more foreign investors in 3G licensing.
"The new slot of spectrum would not only help the small operators commercially, but it also paves the way for more foreign operators who are keen to invest here," he said.
Siddique said they want to sell the entire spectrum assigned for 3G through open auction. "We don't want to keep any unsold spectrum."
The secretary informed that all the cellular phone operators have given their consent to the latest initiative.
Officials said the regulator-Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) -- has decided to offer 5-Megahertz (MHz) slots for the spectrum of Third Generation (3G) services instead of 10-MHz that was earlier decided. Recently the finance ministry fixed US$ 20 million for per MHz spectrum.
In the draft guideline, the regulator had allocated a total of 50 MHz spectrum in 2100 band for 3G that would suppose to be distributed among five operators through action. Of the total, four licences would be awarded from the existing six operators while another would be new foreign operator, the draft guideline proposed.
State owned cellular phone operator Teletalk would enjoy the services by default without participating in auction rather it will get the licence through paying the lowest bidding money.
Meanwhile Teletalk is providing the 3G services on trial from October 14 last year, as the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the services.
The telecom secretary said the latest initiate taken by BTRC will create a total of 10 slots of the spectrum and each will be 5MHz that might help the small operators in terms of user number. "Now, the auction would be held for eight slots instead of four slots."
Big operators could buy two slots in the auction, he said, adding "We've kept option for the operator to buy additional slot if there is any unsold slot after auction."
They said the telecom ministry has decided to incorporate the provision for more foreign operators in the final 3G Guideline against one fixed in the draft guideline.
Abubakar Siddique, secretary (In-Charge) of post and telecommunication said the regulator will offer a 5- Megahertz (MHz) slot for spectrum that would pave the way for more foreign investors in 3G licensing.
"The new slot of spectrum would not only help the small operators commercially, but it also paves the way for more foreign operators who are keen to invest here," he said.
Siddique said they want to sell the entire spectrum assigned for 3G through open auction. "We don't want to keep any unsold spectrum."
The secretary informed that all the cellular phone operators have given their consent to the latest initiative.
Officials said the regulator-Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) -- has decided to offer 5-Megahertz (MHz) slots for the spectrum of Third Generation (3G) services instead of 10-MHz that was earlier decided. Recently the finance ministry fixed US$ 20 million for per MHz spectrum.
In the draft guideline, the regulator had allocated a total of 50 MHz spectrum in 2100 band for 3G that would suppose to be distributed among five operators through action. Of the total, four licences would be awarded from the existing six operators while another would be new foreign operator, the draft guideline proposed.
State owned cellular phone operator Teletalk would enjoy the services by default without participating in auction rather it will get the licence through paying the lowest bidding money.
Meanwhile Teletalk is providing the 3G services on trial from October 14 last year, as the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the services.
The telecom secretary said the latest initiate taken by BTRC will create a total of 10 slots of the spectrum and each will be 5MHz that might help the small operators in terms of user number. "Now, the auction would be held for eight slots instead of four slots."
Big operators could buy two slots in the auction, he said, adding "We've kept option for the operator to buy additional slot if there is any unsold slot after auction."
