GP to launch fixed WiMax services

Grameenphone, in partnership with two internet service providers, plans to launch fixed WiMax services in Dhaka and Chittagong today.
The services will be provided under a common brand name with the three companies sharing their networks and customer service points.
The two ISPs are ADN Telecom Ltd and Agni Systems Ltd.
Md A Salam, managing director of Agni Systems, said the new business model will ensure efficient use of resources.
“We don't need to invest twice for the same infrastructure that the other partners have already installed or invested in.”
Grameenphone is currently providing 3G services along with voice services.
Initially, the services will be launched in the capital and the port city with the support of more than 200 base transceivers (networking infrastructures), while another 100 BTSs will be installed in a short time, said Abdul Matin Miazi, chief executive of ADN.

Both the ISPs will establish their networks with the assistance of Grameenphone's infrastructure. At the same time, they will use a common brand and customer care centres but the billing systems will be different, he added.
Miazi said both Agni Systems and ADN Telecom have fixed spectrum on a 3500 Megahertz spectrum band, with 14 MHz each.
The telecom regulator had earlier approved the proposal for the tripartite initiative, he added.