BTRC chief rules out GP's arbitration plea

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chairman Md Jahurul Haque said there is no scope for arbitration in the existing law regarding the bandwidth cut-off.

He made the statement at a press briefing at the BTRC office on Sunday.

The statement came in response to Grameenphone (GP) chief executive officer (CEO) Michael Patrick Foley's call for making arbitration to settle the ongoing conflict with BTRC regarding bandwidth interrupt.

He made the call at a city hotel on Sunday. GP has long been demanding arbitration solution to the audit claim.

On Thursday last, the Commission partially blocked the bandwidth capacity of mobile telephony firms Grameenphone and Robi for the non-payment of dues discovered in audits.

BTRC claimed Tk125.79 billion from GP and Tk 86.72 billion from Robi after the audits.

Terming the blocking of bandwidth "inappropriate and illegal," GP boss said the directive has added burden to the customers and the business community with investors and IIG operators.

He urged the BTRC to withdraw the directives and cooperate in resolving the "disputed audit demand" issue through a constructive arbitration process under the Arbitration Act 2001.

Grameenphone had served a notice of arbitration on the BTRC inviting the regulator to a constructive arbitration process to resolve the disputed audit claim. BTRC has remained silent, GP said.

The directive issued by the BTRC is not addressed to Grameenphone, but the telecom regulator has publicly stated that the bandwidth capacity will remain blocked until it clears the payment, GP said.

The BTRC chief made it clear Grameenphone demanded holding of arbitration to settle the ongoing conflict with the BTRC, but it is not possible.

"The BTRC is monitoring customers' sufferings and it will decide on the next course of action in its next meeting," he said.

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