BTRC extends time to pay charges

FE Report Telecom regulator has again extended timeline for paying second generation (2G) licence renewal spectrum charge after demand from operators. The Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) said cellphone companies would now be able to pay the charge up to November 9 instead of November 7. BTRC Vice Chairman Giashuddin Ahmed said the commission initially enhanced time for only seven days, but it has reset deadline due to government holidays. The commission said that the existing tenure of present licence of four mobile operators-Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi and Citycell-will expire on November 10 and the operates require renewing licence before the expiry of the date according to the guideline. After receiving payment, the BTRC will renew 2G licence, said Mr Ahmed. Grameenphone (GP), the largest operator by the number of users and revenue, has paid off both spectrum charge and renewal fees on October 31. It has paid Tk 13.49 billion as spectrum charges out of almost Tk 15.88 billion. Besides, four mobile operators have paid Tk 85 million each for their 2nd generation (2G) licence renewal fees on the day without dispute regarding 15 per cent VAT (Value Added Tax), which will be settled by the court. Mr Ahmed told the FE that the commission received the amount from the operators on the basis of their commitment. "We will examine the payment and then we will offer renewal licence," he said, adding "The amount fixed by the commission for 2G renewal is not deductible". On the other hand, mobile operators said they will pay rest of the amount either to BTRC or NBR (National Board of Revenue) after the settlement of VAT-related complication. Out of Tk 75.63 billion, the four mobile operators will pay almost Tk 37 billion (49 per cent) as the first installment by this time, according to the final guideline. Banglalink will pay around Tk 9.66 billion, Robi Tk 9.31 billion and Citycell Tk 2.20 billion. Besides, the remaining 51 per cent (almost Tk38.58 billion) will have to be paid off in the next three years.