PM should intervene in telecom impasse: Inu

The prime minister should intervene in ending the current impasse in the telecom sector, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said yesterday.
The conflicts in the telecom law, and rules and regulations, including the fiscal policies, should be removed soon to let the sector grow further and help the government materialise its vision of "digital Bangladesh", he said.
The minister spoke at a meeting with the telecom regulator, operators and analysts to discuss various issues, including uncertainty, ambiguity and unhealthy environment in the sector.
The discussion on "telecom policy for national development" at The Dhaka Westin was organised by GSM Association, which works to safeguard the interests of mobile operators worldwide.
There has been a standoff for long between the government and mobile operators over value added tax, and 2G and 3G licence fees.
The operators also want an amicable settlement of some cases now pending in the court.
The private telecom operators have also been demanding an end to what they say some regulatory barriers as those would discourage future investment in the sector.
Chief executives of the mobile operators said they are ready to participate in the upcoming 3G auction scheduled for September 2, but before that they demand the uncertainties should go.
ICT Secretary Nazrul Islam Khan said thousands of freelancers across the country are waiting for 3G but the government has failed to introduce the technology.
Chief executive officers of Grameenphone, Banglalink and Robi said they are ready to offer the 3G services.
Grameenphone CEO Vivek Sood said the uncertainties over the VAT issues should be removed before the auction.
Banglalink's CEO Ziad Shatara said, “We are ready to take part in the 3G auction, but the issue is depending on the regulator.”
Michael Kuehner, CEO of Robi, said they first need clarification of some regulatory aspects.
Sunil Kanti Bose, chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, said a few issues have already been addressed.
“The VAT rebate issue depends on the court and the government has nothing to do about it,” he said.
Abu Saeed Khan, senior policy fellow of ICT think tank LIRNEasia, and Barrister Tanjib-ul-Alam, a Supreme Court lawyer, also spoke.