Banglalink keen to invest $1b over next 3 years

Banglalink, the second largest mobile phone operator in Bangladesh, is willing to invest $1 billion over the next 3 years,” said Jean-Yves Charlier, CEO of VEON,  parent company of Banglalnik.

“We committed to support the Digital Bangladesh vision and are willing to invest $1 billion over the next 3 years if it can find a favorable investment and regulatory framework,” said Jean-Yves Charlier, CEO of VEON, parent company of Banglalnik.

Erik Aas, CEO of  Banglalink, and Asif Ahmed, head of corporate communications, Banglalink, were also present at the press meet held at Pan Pacific Sonargoan hotel in capital.  

Citing recently released spectrum and 4G draft guidelines, VEON CEO said, “We believe the framework is now in place to further develop investment friendly regulations.” This ultimately leads to more digital services and better customer experience, he added.

“Banglalink intends to sell off its tower portfolio in each of its markets as it no longer considers this asset as essential to the provision of new digital services to consumers. Banglalink believes that such a move will allow us to unlock precious capital and further invest in its spectrum portfolio, networks and digital initiatives,” added Jean-Yves Charlier.

 “Since inception, Banglalink has been operating in Bangladesh for past twelve years with a prestigious history of transforming lives through technology. The mobile phone company has invested over $2.51 billion in Bangladesh operations. It has been involved not only in advancing the telecom industry in Bangladesh but also as a key contributor to supporting the digital vision of Bangladesh’s government.”

“VEON is keen to position Banglalink as a leading provider of connectivity and internet opportunities, and in doing so to support the launch of 4G across the country and accelerate the digital economy,” said Jean-Yves Charlier.

“The combined financial burden of a disproportionate tax regime for the telecommunications sector and the significant cost of spectrum constitute an obstacle that must be addressed. The tax burden and spectrum fees per MHz are amongst the highest when compared to international benchmarks.  This will impact the investment capacity in 3G and 4G networks thus the customer experience,”

Banglalink looks forward to working with the regulator on securing the additional spectrum at the earliest opportunity, thus ensuring Banglalink will be able to continue to meet its quality of service obligations and offer better services to consumers throughout the country.

Erik Aas said, “Most countries allow telecom operators to undertake active Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing that does not involve the pooling of spectrum. Introducing sharing across all technologies (2G, 3G, 4G and beyond) would be a critical regulatory initiative to facilitate more competition in rural areas and critical in the acceleration of 4G coverage equal to current 2G/3G levels.”

“The government’s stated ambition to launch an ambitious 4G strategy marks the perfect opportunity for Bangladesh to further advance its regulatory agenda by implementing a stable, pro-consumer, pro-competition, pro-innovation and pro-investment approach,” he added.

Banglalink keen to invest $1b over next 3 years

Banglalink, the second largest mobile phone operator in Bangladesh, is willing to invest $1 billion over the next 3 years, said Jean-Yves Charlier, CEO of VEON, parent company of Banglalnik. We committed to support the Digital Bangladesh vision and are willing to invest $1 billion over the next 3 years if it can find a favorable investment and regulatory framework, said Jean-Yves Charlier, CEO of VEON, parent company of Banglalnik. Erik Aas, CEO of Banglalink, and Asif Ahmed, head of corporate communications, Banglalink, were also present at the press meet held at Pan Pacific Sonargoan hotel in capital. Citing recently released spectrum and 4G draft guidelines, VEON CEO said, We believe the framework is now in place to further develop investment friendly regulations. This ultimately leads to more digital services and better customer experience, he added. Banglalink intends to sell off its tower portfolio in each of its markets as it no longer considers this asset as essential to the provision of new digital services to consumers. Banglalink believes that such a move will allow us to unlock precious capital and further invest in its spectrum portfolio, networks and digital initiatives, added Jean-Yves Charlier. Since inception, Banglalink has been operating in Bangladesh for past twelve years with a prestigious history of transforming lives through technology. The mobile phone company has invested over $2.51 billion in Bangladesh operations. It has been involved not only in advancing the telecom industry in Bangladesh but also as a key contributor to supporting the digital vision of Bangladeshs government. VEON is keen to position Banglalink as a leading provider of connectivity and internet opportunities, and in doing so to support the launch of 4G across the country and accelerate the digital economy, said Jean-Yves Charlier. The combined financial burden of a disproportionate tax regime for the telecommunications sector and the significant cost of spectrum constitute an obstacle that must be addressed. The tax burden and spectrum fees per MHz are amongst the highest when compared to international benchmarks. This will impact the investment capacity in 3G and 4G networks thus the customer experience, Banglalink looks forward to working with the regulator on securing the additional spectrum at the earliest opportunity, thus ensuring Banglalink will be able to continue to meet its quality of service obligations and offer better services to consumers throughout the country. Erik Aas said, Most countries allow telecom operators to undertake active Radio Access Network (RAN) sharing that does not involve the pooling of spectrum. Introducing sharing across all technologies (2G, 3G, 4G and beyond) would be a critical regulatory initiative to facilitate more competition in rural areas and critical in the acceleration of 4G coverage equal to current 2G/3G levels. The governments stated ambition to launch an ambitious 4G strategy marks the perfect opportunity for Bangladesh to further advance its regulatory agenda by implementing a stable, pro-consumer, pro-competition, pro-innovation and pro-investment approach, he added.