Telecom

Mobile and internet service providers’ staff facing restrictions: AMTOB

Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) complains that the staff of mobile and internet service providers are facing restrictions from the law enforcement agencies at different places across the country.
BTRC records 9.99 crore active internet connections

The number of active internet connections in the country soared by 738,000 last month to reach 99,984,000, very close to the 10-crore landmark, according to the statistics published by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).
BTCL plans to introduce free WiFi in 1,216 unions

Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited is planning to introduce free WiFi hotspots in 1,216 union parishads where it has its own fibre-optic connectivity, the state-owned telco’s managing director says on a Facebook Live video.
‘Robi’s listing will be a gift for investors’

Robi plans to submit its application for listing in the country’s twin bourses to the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission in the middle of next month, as the long-awaited debut of the second largest mobile phone operator is finally taking shape.
Int’l incoming call rate slashed 66pc

The government has slashed the international incoming voice call rate by 65.71 per cent to $0.006 per minute in the face of shrinking earnings from the sector in recent years.
Push towards Digital Bangladesh props up Banglalink

Banglalink, once the country’s most spirited operator, is finally turning around its fortunes by putting in higher emphasis on digital services and investment on 4G network.
Yasir Azman 1st Bangladeshi CEO of Grameenphone

The Board of Directors of Grameenphone appoints Yasir Azman as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bangladeshi operation, effective from February 1, 2020.
BTRC receives 14,037 complaints against mobile operators

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has received 14,037 complaints regarding mobile operators’ services in 2019, according to a report.
WiFi service for students of 146 educational instts launched

The government has launched WiFi service at 146 educational institutions including colleges, universities and training institutes throughout the country.
5G, data security to have greatest impact on business

Fifth-generation (5G) mobile service and data security are the two major technologies Bangladeshi companies believe will have the greatest impact on businesses in the next five years, according to a recent international survey.
Internet, SMS services resume in Kashmir

Broadband internet service and mobile SMS service are restored in government-run hospitals in Kashmir ending over four and half months of suspension.
Internet connections fall half a million in Nov: BTRC

The number of active internet connections in the country dropped by 0.51 million from 99.57 million, says a report of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.
Six countries keen to invest in Teletalk, 5G: Jabbar

The government has received proposals from half a dozen foreign companies which want to invest in Teletalk and fifth-generation (5G) service, Mustafa Jabbar, posts and telecommunications minister, said yesterday.
GP agrees to pay Tk 200cr to BTRC

Grameenphone has agreed to pay Tk 200 crore, out of Tk 12,580 crore dues, to Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) initially as the mobile phone operator settled the matter with the mobile phone regulator in presence of posts and telecommunication minister and finance minister.
SC wants to know how much money GP can pay to BTRC now

The Supreme Court has wanted to know how much money Grameenphone can give to Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) from its Tk 12,580 crore dues at present.
Landline connection to be free of cost: Joy

The government is planning to provide landline connection and re-connection of the state-run operator Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL) free of cost to boost its users in the country.
SC to hear BTRC’s plea seeking stay on HC order

The Supreme Court has fixed October 24 for hearing the petition filed by Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) seeking a stay on the High Court order that issued an injunction on its move to realise Tk 12,580 crore from Grameenphone.
'Administrator' challenges the 5G potential

The telecom sector dominated the news cycle last Wednesday. First came the news of the planned rollout of the fifth generation (5G) mobile service in Bangladesh by the beginning of 2021 -- a progressive move on the part of the government by all accounts.
Ad-interim injunction issued on realisation of GP’s Tk 12,579.95cr due

The High Court issues an ad-interim injunction for two months against the realisation of Tk 12,579.95 crore from Grameenphone by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC)
5G internet by 2021: BTRC

The telecom regulator yesterday said it plans to roll out the fifth-generation cellular network technology (5G) in Bangladesh by 2021.
5G internet service by 2021: BTRC

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) officially discloses its primary decision of making 5G internet service available in the country by 2021.
GP, Banglalink lose in MNP battle

Banglalink has lost the highest number of subscribers to other operators in the last one year as the users changed the carrier using the mobile number portability service.
Audit Claims: GP, Robi challenge legality of BTRC’s show-cause notice

Grameenphone and Robi have challenged the legality of the telecom regulator’s show-cause notice on them asking to reply within 30 days why their licences would not be cancelled for their failure to pay Tk 13,446 crore of dues.
BTRC may waive GP-Robi’s late fees

The government is considering waiving off the late fees, which made up almost half the Tk 13,447 crore claimed by the telecom regulator as unpaid dues from Grameenphone and Robi, as it engineers a swift end to the drawn-out tussle.
Facebook unwilling to open office in Dhaka

Facebook has denied to set up any office or install its local service in Bangladesh right now as the market size is not sustainable here enough.
Kamal steps in as mediator

The long drawn-out conflict between the country’s top two mobile operators -- Grameenphone and Robi -- and the telecom regulator over unpaid dues amounting to Tk 13,447 crore is finally heading towards an amicable conclusion after Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal stepped in.
BTRC may face investment arbitration soon

With the serving of show-cause notices on Robi and Grameenphone as to why their licences will not be cancelled for not paying the so-called ‘dues’, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has come further closer to facing investment
Telcos’ data revenue surges

Data revenue for the top three mobile phone operators surged 23 percent to Tk 2,862 crore in the first half of the year on the back of fast-expanding 4G coverage.
Move to revoke GP, Robi’s 2G-3G licences

Grameenphone and Robi’s clash with the telecom regulator became more heated yesterday after they were slapped with show-cause notices enquiring why their 2G and 3G licences should not be cancelled for their failure to pay unpaid dues unearthed by audit.
BTRC issues notice to GP, Robi for revoking licences

The telecom regulator issues two separate show cause notices to Grameenphone and Robi asking them to reply in 30 days why their licences will not be cancelled despite violating the licensing conditions by not paying the telecom regulator’s ‘dues’.