'We will be able to issue 3G licenses by mid 2011'

The Government of Bangladesh, as part of its efforts to develop the country's telecommunications sector, has taken a move to implement 7 projects at a cost of nearly $1 bn. Please discuss the plan.

The projects include establishment of a telecommunications network based on next generation networking technology at a cost of 17.25 bn taka ($25 mn), and the project on broadband wireless network to be executed with a cost of 5.49 bn taka ($7.84 mn).

The projects also include expansion of Internet information network involving 2.91 bn taka, introducing 3G network costing 19.09 bn taka-this project will be executed by the Teletalk. We also have a project for building e-post centers at a cost of 5.97 bn taka and IT based post offices costing 6.04 bn taka. The people in the urban areas are already able to use e-remittances. We are now focusing on the rural areas. About 800 post offices have been covered, however, there are about 8,000 in all.

The seventh is to develop optical fiber cable networks in 1,000 union parishads, the lowest tier of local government in Bangladesh, costing 7.59 bn taka.

The ministry hasn't announced the time frame for completion of the projects. The government has said that many more projects for the developing sector are also under planning stage to help transform Bangladesh into a digital country by 2021.

The operators were expecting the 3G licenses to be issued by August this year, but that did not happen. By when do you think will Bangladesh be able to experience 3G services?

BRTC is still working on the guidelines for 3G licensing. We missed the August target, as out of the 6 operators in the country, 4 are due for the renewing of the licenses. Besides, we have gateway systems which had to be upgraded, and the ILD telecom policy had to be worked upon. I think we will be able to issue the licenses by mid 2011, and we are hopeful of achieving 5.5 mn 3G subscriber mark by 2013.

The telecom minister suggested a 'beauty contest' for awarding 3G spectrum. What is your take? Do you expect the spectrum pricing touching the rooftops, the way it happened in India?

The details for awarding the 3G spectrum are still being worked out. The procedure suggested by the minister could be one option. As far as the pricing of the spectrum is concerned, I personally believe that it should not go out of proportion. It is important for the government to earn revenues, but that should not happen at the cost of consumers. The prime objective should be providing the telecom services to the users.

Heena Jhingan
heenaj@cybermedia.co.in