BTRC starts process of issuing NTTN licences

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Syed Ishtiaque RezabrBangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has started the process of issuing Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) licences. The objective, according to the BTRC, is to allow the private sector to develop, build, operate and maintain nationwide optical fibre telecommunication transmission network. brBTRC officials believe that the telecommunication network would stretch across the country through NTTN and gradually help to remove the use of overhead cables in the cities and towns. brA draft guideline on NTTN published by the BTRC sought opinions and suggestions of the parties interested to obtain the licence and other stakeholders until September 12. brForeign equity of any interested firm will be limited to 60 per cent. BTRC said the overseas partner shall directly invest in foreign currency equal to his percentage of ownership and no bank loan from any Bangladeshi scheduled bank or financial institution or leasing company can be raised for the overseas part of the investment. brFor the non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) a maximum of 70 per cent of FDI will be allowed but no loans can be raised locally from any financial institution. A partnershipconsortium of NRB and foreign equity without Bangladeshi partners will not be allowed, BTRC said. brThe Access Network Service (ANS) operators having licenses from the Commission and any of its shareholders, foreign or Bangladeshi, are not eligible to apply for the license. brThe duration of the license will be initially for a term of 15 years. brThe licensee will need to submit a bank guarantee as security deposit worth Tk. 100 million in favour of BTRC within 15 days of issuance of license with minimum validity of five years. brA licensee can lease or rent out his NTTN resources to the ANS operators, licensed telecommunication operators and to other authorised users for a specific lease period.