BTRC to allow tech neutrality by next March

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to allow technology neutrality to the mobile phone operators in spectrum use in two bands (900 and 1800 MHz) in the first quarter of the next year, which will help them roll out 4G services soon.

“After taking the decision in the last commission meeting BTRC also decided to formulate a guideline for tech neutrality and 4G licence,” Sarwar Alam, secretary, BTRC told The Independent. 
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), in the last commission meeting has taken the decision following the government’s plan to allow technology neutrality for the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, according to the meeting minutes.
After getting technology neutrality in the 1800 and 900 bands, the operators would be able to offer services through any technology (2G/3G/4G/LTE), using any of the frequencies they have, which will ensure better services for customers.
The mobile phone operators have long been placing this demand, which will help them get technological benefits in both voice and data services.
Spectrum allocation in the country is service specific as the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz band spectrum is assigned for only 2G services and the 2100 MHz band spectrum is for 3G services. The 2100 MHz, however, is also allowed for 4G services, but it will require a separate service guideline, which is yet to be formulated.
Grameenphone Chief Corporate Officer Mahmud Hossain said for the usage of spectrum most of the countries of the world has implemented Tech neutrality. If Bangladesh starts this process then telecom operators will be able to give better service to its subscribers and government will earn money at the same time, he added. 
A senior official of Robi Axiata Limited said most of the people using internet use 900 MHz and 1800 MHz handsets which supports 4G. Thus using 4G will not be very difficult, moreover he said that 4G is now reality and for that tech neutrality is a must. This will help the telecom operators, the government and the subscribers, he added.

BTRC to allow tech neutrality by next March

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has decided to allow technology neutrality to the mobile phone operators in spectrum use in two bands (900 and 1800 MHz) in the first quarter of the next year, which will help them roll out 4G services soon. After taking the decision in the last commission meeting BTRC also decided to formulate a guideline for tech neutrality and 4G licence, Sarwar Alam, secretary, BTRC told The Independent. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), in the last commission meeting has taken the decision following the governments plan to allow technology neutrality for the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, according to the meeting minutes. After getting technology neutrality in the 1800 and 900 bands, the operators would be able to offer services through any technology (2G/3G/4G/LTE), using any of the frequencies they have, which will ensure better services for customers. The mobile phone operators have long been placing this demand, which will help them get technological benefits in both voice and data services. Spectrum allocation in the country is service specific as the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz band spectrum is assigned for only 2G services and the 2100 MHz band spectrum is for 3G services. The 2100 MHz, however, is also allowed for 4G services, but it will require a separate service guideline, which is yet to be formulated. Grameenphone Chief Corporate Officer Mahmud Hossain said for the usage of spectrum most of the countries of the world has implemented Tech neutrality. If Bangladesh starts this process then telecom operators will be able to give better service to its subscribers and government will earn money at the same time, he added. A senior official of Robi Axiata Limited said most of the people using internet use 900 MHz and 1800 MHz handsets which supports 4G. Thus using 4G will not be very difficult, moreover he said that 4G is now reality and for that tech neutrality is a must. This will help the telecom operators, the government and the subscribers, he added.