Regulator defers 3G auction to July 31
The telecom regulator deferred the 3G auction date to July 31 from June 24, as the operators refused to take part in the auction until the disputes over VAT on spectrum charges and SIM tax are not resolved.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission also needs more time, as it did not yet find any competent international bidder to hold the auction, BTRC Chairman Sunil Kanti Bose told The Daily Star yesterday.
The disputes will be solved soon, as Finance Minister AMA Muhith has recently agreed to reduce the VAT on 3G auction prices to 7.5 percent from 15 percent in the next national budget, Bose said.
In a meeting with the operators, the minister also made commitments to reduce the SIM tax, which is Tk 600 now, he said.
The government will declare the budget for the next fiscal year by June, which will put an end to the disputes, Bose said.
“It will help the operators to take decision on taking part in the auction.” Now, the BTRC is in the process to appoint a local and an international individual consultant for the auction, he said. The application date for the operators was also postponed to June 12 from May 12.
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