'Govt reviewing policy to open licence to WiMAX, IGW'
Friday, 22 May 2009
The licence for IGW and WiMAX will be awarded after reviewing International Long Distance Telecommunication Policy, the telecoms regulator said Thursday, reports bdnews24.com.
"We are reviewing the policy to open the licence to WiMAX and International Gateway. It will take two to three months to finish," Bangladesh Telecommunicaion Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chairman Zia Ahmed told a workshop on the day.
Reve Systems, a leading IP telephony solution provider, organised the workshop titled 'Technology Trends in IP Telephony'.
"We want to give validity to the illegal business by reviewing the policy. I ask the people involved with the business to think about people's welfare," he said.
"Many think VoIP (voice over internet protocol) should be allowed. I agree with them." "But it requires a proper atmosphere."
State minister for ICT Yafes Osman said: "We want to offer service. We believe in public-private partnership."
"We are not here for policing." During the 2007-2008 caretaker government's regime BTRC licensed four companies to run IGW operations, who are to pay it 62.5 percent of the revenue. It also nominated three companies for providing WiMAX licnece in exchange for Tk 2.15 billion. Two companies have so far paid for licence.
An FE Report adds: Yeafesh Osman said BTRC, Bangladesh Telecommunica-tions Company Ltd (BTCL) and Science and ICT ministry will work together to provide ICT services to the people to build a "Digital Bangladesh" by 2021.
'If we can nourish the ICT industry in a proper way then it will create job opportunity for us propelling the economic growth', he said.
A leading IP Telephony solution provider, REVE System provides above 600 clients spread over 50 countries around the world since 2003. Their product portfolio includes VoIP switches (iTel Switch Plus), VoIP Billing Solutions (iTel Billing), Mobile VoIP solutions (iTel Mobile Dialer Express, iMD Byte Sarver) and software services.
Rezaul Hassan, CEO of REVE Systems said there is considerable interest from all ISP's (Internet Service Providers) to the licensing of IP Telephony, as it will open up new revenue lines. The move is expected to reduce cost of local and overseas calls in Bangladesh and bring latest technological innovations in the hands of consumers.
BTRC Chairman Brigadier General Zia Ahmed said third generation (3G) policy is at final stage and we are reviewing to decrease the VAT, tax and revenues to make the rates affordable to the commoners.
Among others, Member of Parliamentary Committee on Telecommunication Muazzam Hossain Ratan, President of ISPAB (Internet Service Providers Association Bangladesh) Akhteruzzaman Manju and president of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services Habibullah N. Karim were present on the occasion.
"We are reviewing the policy to open the licence to WiMAX and International Gateway. It will take two to three months to finish," Bangladesh Telecommunicaion Regulatory Commission (BTRC) chairman Zia Ahmed told a workshop on the day.
Reve Systems, a leading IP telephony solution provider, organised the workshop titled 'Technology Trends in IP Telephony'.
"We want to give validity to the illegal business by reviewing the policy. I ask the people involved with the business to think about people's welfare," he said.
"Many think VoIP (voice over internet protocol) should be allowed. I agree with them." "But it requires a proper atmosphere."
State minister for ICT Yafes Osman said: "We want to offer service. We believe in public-private partnership."
"We are not here for policing." During the 2007-2008 caretaker government's regime BTRC licensed four companies to run IGW operations, who are to pay it 62.5 percent of the revenue. It also nominated three companies for providing WiMAX licnece in exchange for Tk 2.15 billion. Two companies have so far paid for licence.
An FE Report adds: Yeafesh Osman said BTRC, Bangladesh Telecommunica-tions Company Ltd (BTCL) and Science and ICT ministry will work together to provide ICT services to the people to build a "Digital Bangladesh" by 2021.
'If we can nourish the ICT industry in a proper way then it will create job opportunity for us propelling the economic growth', he said.
A leading IP Telephony solution provider, REVE System provides above 600 clients spread over 50 countries around the world since 2003. Their product portfolio includes VoIP switches (iTel Switch Plus), VoIP Billing Solutions (iTel Billing), Mobile VoIP solutions (iTel Mobile Dialer Express, iMD Byte Sarver) and software services.
Rezaul Hassan, CEO of REVE Systems said there is considerable interest from all ISP's (Internet Service Providers) to the licensing of IP Telephony, as it will open up new revenue lines. The move is expected to reduce cost of local and overseas calls in Bangladesh and bring latest technological innovations in the hands of consumers.
BTRC Chairman Brigadier General Zia Ahmed said third generation (3G) policy is at final stage and we are reviewing to decrease the VAT, tax and revenues to make the rates affordable to the commoners.
Among others, Member of Parliamentary Committee on Telecommunication Muazzam Hossain Ratan, President of ISPAB (Internet Service Providers Association Bangladesh) Akhteruzzaman Manju and president of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services Habibullah N. Karim were present on the occasion.