BTRC rejects GP plea for revising Tk 30cr fine

A Tk 30 crore fine was slapped on GP for providing internet broadband service to clients breaching the Telecommunications Act 2001

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has rejected Grameenphone’s petition for revising the fine of Taka 30 crore that was imposed for providing unauthorised services by the operator, reports BSS.
The regulator has also directed the country’s leading operator to deposit the fine of Tk 30 crore to the national exchequer within 10 days, otherwise legal action would be taken.  The 201th meeting of the commission has upheld the decision taken earlier scrapping the plea filed by the operator, according to the official documents.  
Talking to the news agency, BTRC Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood yesterday said the commission has rejected the appeal. “So Grameenphone has no option, they have to pay the money.” However, Grameenphone official said they were yet to receive any letter from BTRC.  
BTRC Secretary and Spokesperson Sarwar Alam yesterday told the news agency that they will send the letter within one or two days.
In October last year, the telecom regulator has slapped a Tk 30 crore fine on Grameenphone for providing internet broadband service to clients breaching the Telecommu-nications Act 2001.
The penalty is related to Grameenphone’s “Go Broadband” initiative, a high-speed internet service offered by Agni Systems and ADN Telecom in partnership with the operator. The network solutions were provided to Sonali Bank.
In December, 2014, Grameenphone signed a bilateral agreement with Sonali Bank to set up last-mile connectivity for the bank through a fibre optic network. But, rules do not permit a mobile operator to deploy fibre optic cables. Later, the operator revised the agreement and incorporated AND Telecom and Agni System.
Following the introduction of the service, Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) lodged a complaint to the regulator that GO Broadband was providing point-to-point data connectivity with transmission to some commercial banks.  After receiving the complaint, in July 13 last year BTRC issued show-cause notice and sought clarification from the mobile phone carrier within 30 days. 
Grameenphone replied to the notice on August 11 last year, but it failed to satisfy the regulator.  Later, the 200th meeting of the commission penalized Grameenphone of Tk 30 crore for offering “coordinated service” without complying with rules as well as violating Bangladesh Telecommunication Act 2001. 
A letter to this end was sent to Grameenphone on November 6 last year and the operator replied to regulator on November 16. But, rejecting the Grameenphone’s letter, BTRC directed the operator to deposit the fine amount within 7 days.  On December 6, Grameenphone filed an application under Section 65(5) of Telecommunication Act 2001 and sought 15 days. 
The regulator again on December 12 directed Grameenphone to deposit the fine money.
As per rules, ISPs can offer connectivity to users like banks and other service providers, but for doing so they have to be connected via fibre optic cables of Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) operators. But, no ISPs or NTTN operators were involved in the agreement between Grameenphone and Sonali Bank.

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BTRC rejects GP plea for revising Tk 30cr fine

A Tk 30 crore fine was slapped on GP for providing internet broadband service to clients breaching the Telecommunications Act 2001

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has rejected Grameenphones petition for revising the fine of Taka 30 crore that was imposed for providing unauthorised services by the operator, reports BSS. The regulator has also directed the countrys leading operator to deposit the fine of Tk 30 crore to the national exchequer within 10 days, otherwise legal action would be taken. The 201th meeting of the commission has upheld the decision taken earlier scrapping the plea filed by theoperator, according to the official documents. Talking to the news agency, BTRC Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood yesterday said the commissionhas rejected the appeal. So Grameenphone has no option, they have to pay the money. However, Grameenphone official said they were yet to receive any letterfrom BTRC. BTRC Secretary and Spokesperson Sarwar Alam yesterday told the news agency that they will send the letter within one or two days. In October last year, the telecom regulator has slapped a Tk 30 crore fine on Grameenphone for providing internet broadband service to clients breaching the Telecommu-nications Act 2001. The penalty is related to Grameenphones Go Broadband initiative, a high-speed internet service offered by Agni Systems and ADN Telecom in partnership with the operator. The network solutions were provided to Sonali Bank. In December, 2014, Grameenphone signed a bilateral agreement with Sonali Bank to set up last-mile connectivity for the bank through a fibre optic network. But, rules do not permit a mobile operator to deploy fibre optic cables. Later, the operator revised the agreement and incorporated AND Telecom and Agni System. Following the introduction of the service, Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) lodged a complaint to the regulator that GO Broadband was providing point-to-point data connectivity with transmission to some commercial banks. After receiving the complaint, in July 13 last year BTRC issued show-cause notice and sought clarification from the mobile phone carrier within 30 days. Grameenphone replied to the notice on August 11 last year, but it failed to satisfy the regulator. Later, the 200th meeting of the commission penalized Grameenphone of Tk 30 crore for offering coordinated service without complying with rules as well as violating Bangladesh Telecommunication Act 2001. A letter to this end was sent to Grameenphone on November 6 last year and the operator replied to regulator on November 16. But, rejecting the Grameenphones letter, BTRC directed the operator to deposit the fine amount within 7 days. On December 6, Grameenphone filed an application under Section 65(5) of Telecommunication Act 2001 and sought 15 days. The regulator again on December 12 directed Grameenphone to deposit the fine money. As per rules, ISPs can offer connectivity to users like banks and other service providers, but for doing so they have to be connected via fibre optic cables of Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) operators. But, no ISPs or NTTN operators were involved in the agreement between Grameenphone and Sonali Bank. Related News: Grameenphone reluctant to provide MNP services to subscribers(12-06-2015) DRU accuses GP of cheating(23-06-2015) GP seeks until Tuesday to fix problem(05-07-2015) VIPs SIM cards cloned(17-09-2015) BTRC to start auditing GP on October 20(07-10-2015) GP under renewed fire from telecoms minister(20-10-2015) GP deprives railways of Tk 81cr a year: CAG(05-01-2016) BTRC seeks explanation from GP, ADN, Agni(04-04-2016) Five GP staff among 11 arrested over SIM cloning(20-04-2016) GP denies, CID remains firm(21-04-2016) Grameenphone Go Broadband illegal(31-05-16) BTRC cancels GP-Sonali deal(24-06-16) BTRC brings allegation against audit firm(28-07-16) GPs illegal business(18-06-2015) GP ghost bills(28-06-2015) NBR seeks bank statements of Grammeenphone(04-08-2015) Telcos ride on fake ID cards(20-09-2015) Ministers vent spleen on GP service(15-10-2015) GP under ACC probe(27-11-2015) BTRC orders GP not to hinder audit process(11-02-2016) GP clarification(05-04-2016) GP, ADN, Agni submit explanation(20-04-2016) BTRC seeks explanation from GP, ADN, Agni again(30-04-2016) GP, Airtel to be fine(10-06-16) BTRC issues show cause notice on GP(14-07-16) BTRC fines GP TK 30cr(31-10-16) GP sponsorships breach rules: Telenor(15-12-16) GP has to pay Tk 30cr fine, says BTRC chief(27-12-17) GP gains, others lose revenue(24-01-17)