Formal soft launching of Augure Bangladesh
Sunday, 26 July 2009
FE Report
Augure Bangladesh Limited started its journey in the country recently through a formal soft launching, thus becoming the first company to go for trial operation of the WiMax wireless broadband internet service.
The UK-based Augure Holdings NL has teamed up with two local entities Aaamra Resources Limited and Teleport Bangladesh Limited, in providing this state-of-the-art service to a country with one of the lowest internet penetration rates in the world.
Initially, Augure's service would be limited to a few areas within the Dhaka city; offered experimentally to some selected end users. However, the company is expecting to bring the whole Dhaka city and Chittagong under its coverage by the fourth quarter of this year.
Earlier, Augure also became the first WiMax licensee to acquire the license to operate, by paying the telecom regulator the preset fee- a hefty amount of USD 215 million in due time.
"Capitalizing on our global experience in telecommunication business, we would try to meet the ever growing demand for quality Internet service in the Bangladeshi market keeping in terms with the local infrastructure", Augure Chairman Sanjiv Ahuja said.
Established in July 2008, 60 percent of Augure Bangladesh Limited is owned by the global giant Augure Holdings NL, while the two local entities make up the rest, of which, 10 percent is owned by Aaamra and 30 per cent is owned by Teleport Bangladesh.
The company has already invested over USD 35 million in this grand venture. However, the total planned investment, the company officials say, stands at USD 98 million.
Chinese technology giant Huawei is Augure's network and IT vendor in this case and would be providing the company with base stations and other technological support.
Chief Executive Officer Jerry Mobs has taken the charge of Augure Bangladesh Limited and would oversee the local operation.
Apart from Bangladesh, Augure has extensive operations in Pakistan and Uganda, while already attaining licenses for operations in a number of countries in Africa as well as South and South East Asia.
Finance Minister A M A Muhith formally unveiled the Augure operation at a function held at the city hotel Tuesday evening. Telecommunication Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju and Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad were also present on the occasion.
"Technology at the end of the day should be made to work for the welfare of the people and in case of information technology, the key lies in providing the people with the ultimate accessibility", the Finance Minister said on the eve of the launching.
He also urged the up and coming WiMax operators to keep their service charge at an affordable level and asked them to carry their service to the doorsteps of the rural mass.
Three private firms, namely BanglaLion, Augure and BRAC BD Communications won the license for WiMax operations in the country through an open bidding held last year. However, BRAC later withdrew itself from the race.
The other prospective operator BanglaLion is expected to go for soft launching by mid-August.
Augure Bangladesh Limited started its journey in the country recently through a formal soft launching, thus becoming the first company to go for trial operation of the WiMax wireless broadband internet service.
The UK-based Augure Holdings NL has teamed up with two local entities Aaamra Resources Limited and Teleport Bangladesh Limited, in providing this state-of-the-art service to a country with one of the lowest internet penetration rates in the world.
Initially, Augure's service would be limited to a few areas within the Dhaka city; offered experimentally to some selected end users. However, the company is expecting to bring the whole Dhaka city and Chittagong under its coverage by the fourth quarter of this year.
Earlier, Augure also became the first WiMax licensee to acquire the license to operate, by paying the telecom regulator the preset fee- a hefty amount of USD 215 million in due time.
"Capitalizing on our global experience in telecommunication business, we would try to meet the ever growing demand for quality Internet service in the Bangladeshi market keeping in terms with the local infrastructure", Augure Chairman Sanjiv Ahuja said.
Established in July 2008, 60 percent of Augure Bangladesh Limited is owned by the global giant Augure Holdings NL, while the two local entities make up the rest, of which, 10 percent is owned by Aaamra and 30 per cent is owned by Teleport Bangladesh.
The company has already invested over USD 35 million in this grand venture. However, the total planned investment, the company officials say, stands at USD 98 million.
Chinese technology giant Huawei is Augure's network and IT vendor in this case and would be providing the company with base stations and other technological support.
Chief Executive Officer Jerry Mobs has taken the charge of Augure Bangladesh Limited and would oversee the local operation.
Apart from Bangladesh, Augure has extensive operations in Pakistan and Uganda, while already attaining licenses for operations in a number of countries in Africa as well as South and South East Asia.
Finance Minister A M A Muhith formally unveiled the Augure operation at a function held at the city hotel Tuesday evening. Telecommunication Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju and Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad were also present on the occasion.
"Technology at the end of the day should be made to work for the welfare of the people and in case of information technology, the key lies in providing the people with the ultimate accessibility", the Finance Minister said on the eve of the launching.
He also urged the up and coming WiMax operators to keep their service charge at an affordable level and asked them to carry their service to the doorsteps of the rural mass.
Three private firms, namely BanglaLion, Augure and BRAC BD Communications won the license for WiMax operations in the country through an open bidding held last year. However, BRAC later withdrew itself from the race.
The other prospective operator BanglaLion is expected to go for soft launching by mid-August.