4G spectrum auction this year: Tarana

State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim yesterday said the government wants to float spectrum auction for introducing fourth generation (4G) mobile phone services in Bangladesh.
“We have planned to introduce 4G this year and primary works for this have already been completed,” the state minister disclosed at a press conference at her office.
The briefing was organised marking the two-year anniversary of the present Awami League-led grand alliance government.  
Tarana said, “Airwave is being prepared for auction”. She, however, didn’t elaborate which band of spectrum would be floated for sale.
All the operators would be eligible for taking part in the auction, she said, adding, “no one would get any special chance to introduce the service before auction, rather all operators would be given equal treatment.”
State-run Teletalk earlier had the chance to introduce 3G services on a trial basis before the auction of the mobile broadband services.    
Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Faizur Rahman Chowdhury said they want to create level playing field for competition and that is why steps would be taken during auction so all operators could collect spectrum equally.
“The operators that have more spectrums than necessary would not eligible in the first lot of auction,” he added.
Market leader Grameenphone owns a total of 32MHz spectrum in 900, 1800 and 2100 bands while Banglalink has 20MHz, Robi 19.80MHz and Airtel 20MHz. Besides, Teletalk is running its operation with 25.20MHz spectrum.
According to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the country has a total of 15MHz in three blocks (5 MHz each).
Earlier, on February 19, last year, the telecom regulator published a guideline for auction in 1800MHz and 2100MHz bands.
According to the guidelines, 10.60MHz spectrum is available in two blocks for auction in 1800MHz band or 2G, and 15MHz spectrum in three blocks is available in 2100MHz band or 3G.
But, the auction did not take place as cell phone operators stayed away from participation combinedly.

4G spectrum auction this year: Tarana

State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim yesterday said the government wants to float spectrum auction for introducing fourth generation (4G) mobile phone services in Bangladesh. We have planned to introduce 4G this year and primary works for this have already been completed, the state minister disclosed at a press conference at her office. The briefing was organised marking the two-year anniversary of the present Awami League-led grand alliance government. Tarana said, Airwave is being prepared for auction. She, however, didnt elaborate which band of spectrum would be floated for sale. All the operators would be eligible for taking part in the auction, she said, adding, no one would get any special chance to introduce the service before auction, rather all operators would be given equal treatment. State-run Teletalk earlier had the chance to introduce 3G services on a trial basis before the auction of the mobile broadband services. Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Faizur Rahman Chowdhury said they want to create level playing field for competition and that is why steps would be taken during auction so all operators could collect spectrum equally. The operators that have more spectrums than necessary would not eligible in the first lot of auction, he added. Market leader Grameenphone owns a total of 32MHz spectrum in 900, 1800 and 2100 bands while Banglalink has 20MHz, Robi 19.80MHz and Airtel 20MHz. Besides, Teletalk is running its operation with 25.20MHz spectrum. According to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the country has a total of 15MHz in three blocks (5 MHz each). Earlier, on February 19, last year, the telecom regulator published a guideline for auction in 1800MHz and 2100MHz bands. According to the guidelines, 10.60MHz spectrum is available in two blocks for auction in 1800MHz band or 2G, and 15MHz spectrum in three blocks is available in 2100MHz band or 3G. But, the auction did not take place as cell phone operators stayed away from participation combinedly.