BTRC seeks explanation from GP, ADN, Agni
Wi-Max policy violation by running �Go Broadband� service
Tareque Moretaza
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has asked the countrys largest mobile phone operator Grameenphone and its partner organisations ADN Telecom and Agni Systems to explain the allegations brought against them for running the Go Broadband service that provides fiber-optic connections by violating BTRCs Wi-Max policy guidelines.
Pointing out six allegations, the BTRC, in a letter issued on March 30, has asked the three to present their explanations by April 13.
On February 28, Internet Service Providers Association Bangladesh (ISPAB) submitted the complaint against Grameenphone and its two partners. After a scrutiny of the allegations, BTRC on Wednesday sought explanations from GP, ADN Telecom and Agni Systems.
As per the Telecom Act 2001 (Amendment), the commission can fine the operator or even suspend or cancel the licence for violation of the guidelines.
A letter signed by Md Nahidul Hasan, senior assistant director of BRTCs Engineering and Operations Division, said Grameenphone, ADN Telecom and Agni System have to present six specific information which include what sort of service does Go Broadband provide, does the service have the licence of BTRC and whether it has informed BTRC if the brand is different.
The commission has also asked about the types of services Go provide and how, and has asked for a copy of the agreement between Go and the state-owned Sonali Bank.
The BTRC also inquired whether Go Broadband has taken the approval of the commission about revenue sharing and tariff plan and if taken, what is the tenure of it. The letter also asked details of the partnership among ADN Telecom Ltd, Agni Systems Ltd and Grameenphone and whether any copy of their partnership was submitted to the commission and how Go Broadband has set up its transmission. All these information has to be submitted to the commission in detail in a prescribed chart, said the BTRC letter.
If you analyse the six points, you will notice that the questions raised by the regulator are not asked when there is already permission for the activity, MA Hakim, president of the ISPAB told The Independent.
We want a level playing field. Grameenphone in association with ADN and Agni has created an uneven competition in the market. We have filed the complaint with the BTRC for a level playing field, Hakim said.
He further said that if such illegal activities continue, all other ISPs will suffer great losses and it will give rise to uneven competition. Thats why we have requested to take appropriate measures to reinstate fair competition and level playing field among the various ISPs, he added.
A senior BTRC official told The Independent that Grameenphone has committed five major violations including the violation of its infrastructure sharing guideline. The operator cannot share or lease its infrastructure without permission from the regulator. Grameenphone, as a mobile phone operator, cannot provide wire-connectivity. The operator is also providing fiber connectivity, which can only be done by NTTN operators. It is providing wire technology connectivity to 700 branches of Sonali Bank without obtaining permission from the commission. It is also providing modem services like Wi-Max service providers Qubee and Banglalion despite obtaining no Wi-Max licence.
Grameenphone was contacted over the issue of the BRTC letter and the allegations, but no response was received from the operator till yesterday evening.
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