Telecom

4G makes a tepid start

Only 26 lakh mobile phone users have embraced 4G technology since its rollout nine weeks ago although top operators expanded network robustly on the expectation of bringing more customers under the fourth-generation service quickly.
Service delayed by 3 more months

Mobile phone subscribers will have to wait around three more months to be able to switch operators every 90 days while retaining
High tax bar to better telecom service: GSMA

The national exchequer gets Tk 51 of every Tk 100 spent by a mobile user, leaving less money for the operators to develop network and run business smoothly, the GSMA said yesterday.
Robi asked to pay Tk 18.93cr in VAT on 4G licence fee

The telecom regulator has directed mobile operator Robi Axiata to deposit Tk 18.93 crore as value-added tax on 4G licence fee within April 25.
Telcos invested $1 billion for 4G

Mobile phone operators have invested around $1 billion for starting fourth generation (4G) mobile service in the country so far, Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) says.
New rules on cards to fine telcos for noncompliance

The BTRC is finalising a new set of regulations under which the telecom and internet service providers will have to pay the penalty for
Telcos seek duty benefit for 4G handsets

Mobile phone operators yesterday sought duty benefits for the import of 4G-enabled handsets, which would help in reducing cost of such devices
Mobile operators suffer for utility work, outages

Mobile operators' network quality is suffering for the fibre optic cable cut and power shortage across the country in recent times.
4G: telcos grin, users frown

Data consumption by the 4G users has doubled since the fourth-generation service was launched seven weeks ago, but customers' overall experience has not been satisfying so far.
Mobile internet access to reach 41% by 2025: GSMA

Bangladesh’s unique mobile internet penetration will reach 41 percent by 2025, with 4G accounting for half of total connections, the GSMA says in one of its report about Bangladesh mobile industry.
Bangladesh will export smartphones in 2yrs: ICT minister

Bangladesh will export mobile sets within next two years as several plants have started rolling to assemble smart devices, Telecom and ICT Minister Mustafa Jabbar says.
‘Bangabandhu-1 to be ready for commercial use by Aug’

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood says the much waited commercial satellite Bangabandhu-1 will be ready for use by August after its launch within next few weeks.
Remote islands to get high-speed internet: Jabbar

The government is going to start a process to ensure high-speed internet connectivity in isolated islands and remotest part of the country through satellite connectivity, telecom and ICT minister Mustafa Jabbar says.
Oppo to launch smartphone with 25MP camera

Oppo, a leading global technology brand, is all set in Bangladesh to launch Oppo F7, a new smartphone with a 25 megapixel front camera using real-time high dynamic range technology.
Vivo unveils 'AI selfie' smartphone

China's smartphone producer Vivo officially unveiled Vivo V9, its latest flagship smartphone, at a ceremony in Le Méridien Dhaka on Monday night.
New handsets from Vivo, Huawei

Vivo and Huawei -- Two leading mobile phone brands -- unveil their two new flagship devices called ‘V9 smartphone’ and ‘Huawei Y9 2018’ in Bangladesh.
Teletalk plans 4G launch in Aug, with just Tk 200cr

Teletalk is preparing to launch fourth generation (4G) mobile service, albeit in big cities, with optimum visibility by August and plans to invest only Tk 200 crore from its own funds to develop 1,100 or around a fourth of its network sites.
Mobile networks hit by nor'wester

Mobile subscribers are experiencing network problems in different parts of the country as operators are facing severe power shortage
Foley new president of Amtob

Michael Foley, chief executive officer of Grameenphone, has been elected as the president of the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (Amtob) for a year.
BTRC to offer 4 tower company licences

The telecom regulator is on the final stage to offer four telecom tower company licences and a request for proposal (RFP) notice will be published within the next two to three working days.
Fees of 3 govt services can be paid online

Hassles over filling up challans or acknowledgement receipts and long waits in queues to deposit associated fees could soon be over as the government yesterday introduced an 'electronic challan management system'.
Norway's Telenor exits central Europe

Norwegian telecoms firm Telenor agrees to sell its businesses in central and eastern Europe to Czech billionaire Petr Kellner’s investment firm PPF Group for 2.8 billion euros (2.43 billion pounds).
Handset import rises 10pc despite duty hike

Handset imports rose 9.6 percent to 3.4 crore units last year despite a spike of 5 percentage points in import duty.
Digicon issues IPO to expand its business

Digicon Technologies Limited has decided to issue its share through IPO (Initial Public Offering) for business expansion and diversification. In this regard, a tri-party agreement has been signed between Digicon Technologies Limited, ICB Capital Management Limited (ICML) and Janata Capital and Investment Limited (JCIL) as issue management service providers on March 18th, 2018.
Govt works on 3rd submarine cable

Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Ltd (BSCCL) has kick-started the preparations for its third undersea cable link
Telecom operators seek tax exemptions

The telecom operators want the upcoming national budget to withdraw the 21.75 percent VAT, supplementary duty
Fast 5G beckons, but still far off for most mobile users

The telecoms world is gearing up for 5G, the next generation wireless technology that promises to go beyond
Don't tax SIM upgrades

A consumer platform yesterday demanded the National Board of Revenue refrain from charging Tk 100 as VAT on
Robi concedes defeat, will pay Tk 18.72cr VAT to NBR

Robi Axiata yesterday agreed to pay unpaid value-added tax and supplementary duty amounting to Tk 18.72 crore, bringing an end to
BTRC to block 30 lakh SIMs for breaching rules

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission is set to block 30 lakh SIMs without any prior notice as their owners had