Unfair game
Recently BTRC started to take actions against illegal VoIP operations and in the process closed down five land phone operators. Well, if any operator does anything illegal, it is liable to be punished. But, how justified is it to close down the whole operation of the land phone operators? The land phone operators were given licence to offer services for fixed line operation, although the wireless technology they use allows them to offer mobility to the customers. As far as I know, these operators do not offer mobile service to customers. They try to make business by offering fixed line services to places and customers where BTCL is unable to provide satisfactory service or connections. As per the regulation, they can face competition from BTCL, but not supposed to face business competition from the mobile operators. But, in reality, is it so? The Public Call Offices (PCOs) in the rural areas and mobile phone shops in the cities offer fixed phone service using mobile phones from the mobile operators. As far as I know this is illegal. So, the fixed line operators are losing business heavily. But, BTRC is allowing this business of the mobile companies. Is it fair? When mobile operators were found with illegal VoIP, they were fined heavily, but their switch rooms were not put under lock and key. Instead of imposing a heavy fine as punishment if the fixed line operators are found guilty, why their switch rooms are closed down? I am not sure whose interest BTRC is serving by closing these fixed line operators, while thousands of their customers are suffering.
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