Fix disputes before 3G auction

From left, Ahmed Abou Doma, head of Asia Africa business unit of Vimpelcom, the majority shareholder of Banglalink, and Ziad Shatara, CEO of Banglalink, attend a press briefing at Radisson Hotel in Dhaka yesterday. Photo: Banglalink

Banglalink is observing the government's position on resolving the VAT issues, before taking a decision on whether to participate in the 3G auction, a top official said yesterday.
“I told my board members that the Bangladesh government is considering resolving the disputed issues and the company will get returns for the amount they invested,” said Ahmed Abou Doma, head of Asia Africa business unit of Vimpelcom, the majority shareholder of Banglalink.
Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi and Citycell have urged the government to resolve various disputes, including 15 percent value added tax over 2G spectrum and SIM replacement charges claimed by the tax administrator.
“We need the government to consider the issues seriously,” Doma said.
The company is interested in participating in the 3G auction, Doma said.
“We are committed to our customers and this market deserves 3G. We owe it to the people of Bangladesh,” Doma told reporters at Radisson Hotel in Dhaka.
Doma came to Dhaka on Tuesday on a two-day visit and met the chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission yesterday.
He served as the chief executive of Banglalink and left Bangladesh in May 2011.
The current cycle of investment in Bangladesh is to end in 2015 and the company needs to plan further investment in the market, but Banglalink is still paying 2G renewal spectrum charges, he said.
“It is hard for the investors to put more money here in Banglalink as we have not given them any return in the last eight years.”
Banglalink, the nation's second largest mobile operator after Grameenphone, is ready to provide 3G services but the company will have to import equipment.
The auction for the 2100 megahertz range for 3G services is supposed to take place on September 2, while its deadline was extended twice earlier.
Ziad Shatara, CEO of Banglalink, Shihab Ahmad, chief commercial officer, and Zakiul Islam, senior director, were also present.