GSMA wants BTRC to issue 3G licences without delay
Thursday, 13 November 2008
FE Report
The GSMA, the global association for the mobile industry, has called on Bangladesh to issue 3G licences without further delay to make broadband services available to its people.
It made the call in a press release as broadband penetration in the country is lowest among the selected Asian countries.
Licensing the 2100MHz spectrum band for 3G services would enable Bangladeshi operators to launch Mobile Broadband (HSPA*) services, which their customers can use to gain fast and easy access to the Internet and other online services, it said.
"Bangladesh, which has very few fixed-line connections, could realize major social and economic benefits from the widespread availability of Mobile Broadband services," said Ricardo Tavares, senior vice president for Public Policy of the GSMA (global system for mobile association).
Timetable for 3G licence has not yet been set by Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Authority (BTRC), the country's lone telecom watchdog.
BTRC has, however, planned to issue WiMax and 3G licenses in the country at the end of this year.
Ericsson, a global telecom equipment supplier, was scheduled to complete a pilot project on mobile broadband in Dhaka and at Jahangirnagar Universities last month.
The GSMA vice president said: "One of the world's fastest-growing cellular markets, Bangladesh has large pent-up demand for communication and information services that can improve people's lives and make businesses more productive."
Many developing countries including Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Kenya and South Africa, have already deployed Mobile Broadband services enabling their people to get easy access to information on health, education, job opportunities, agriculture and many other important aspects of their lives.
Moreover, the cost of HSPA devices is falling steadily as manufacturers are facing competition. There are now 200 commercial HSPA networks worldwide serving more than 60 million subscribers, according to Wireless Intelligence.
"Laying new fixed line connections is expensive and less efficient so high-speed mobile networks are Bangladesh's best bet to realize the many social and economic benefits that arise from widespread access to broadband services," added Tavares.
The GSMA, the global association for the mobile industry, has called on Bangladesh to issue 3G licences without further delay to make broadband services available to its people.
It made the call in a press release as broadband penetration in the country is lowest among the selected Asian countries.
Licensing the 2100MHz spectrum band for 3G services would enable Bangladeshi operators to launch Mobile Broadband (HSPA*) services, which their customers can use to gain fast and easy access to the Internet and other online services, it said.
"Bangladesh, which has very few fixed-line connections, could realize major social and economic benefits from the widespread availability of Mobile Broadband services," said Ricardo Tavares, senior vice president for Public Policy of the GSMA (global system for mobile association).
Timetable for 3G licence has not yet been set by Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Authority (BTRC), the country's lone telecom watchdog.
BTRC has, however, planned to issue WiMax and 3G licenses in the country at the end of this year.
Ericsson, a global telecom equipment supplier, was scheduled to complete a pilot project on mobile broadband in Dhaka and at Jahangirnagar Universities last month.
The GSMA vice president said: "One of the world's fastest-growing cellular markets, Bangladesh has large pent-up demand for communication and information services that can improve people's lives and make businesses more productive."
Many developing countries including Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Kenya and South Africa, have already deployed Mobile Broadband services enabling their people to get easy access to information on health, education, job opportunities, agriculture and many other important aspects of their lives.
Moreover, the cost of HSPA devices is falling steadily as manufacturers are facing competition. There are now 200 commercial HSPA networks worldwide serving more than 60 million subscribers, according to Wireless Intelligence.
"Laying new fixed line connections is expensive and less efficient so high-speed mobile networks are Bangladesh's best bet to realize the many social and economic benefits that arise from widespread access to broadband services," added Tavares.