High tax level and spectrum fee affect telecom business, says Telenor Group CEO

Norwegian telecoms group Telenor, parent company of Bangladeshi operator Grameenphone, is focusing on data centric business in Bangladesh with the slogan of 'internet for all.'  
The group is taking multi approach initiatives to leverage the internet facility in the country through mobile broadband. In this case, affordability of the service is being given priority to make internet access of the people easy and hassle-free.
President and CEO of Telenor Group Jon Fredrik Baksaas Wednesday said this in an interview with the Bangladeshi reporters who covered  the ITU Telecom World 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Price reduction of smartphone below US$ 40, development of local contents and tax exemption of the internet users will mainly help spur the growth of the internet service, he thinks.
"Mobile connectivity is not a luxury good for the few - it is a necessity for everyone. The next step now is to provide internet for all," said Mr Baksaas.
He said "There is common understanding of benefits; decision makers should consider high tax level and spectrum fee that impact on rollout." High taxation on internet users lead to reduce consumption, he mentioned.  
Mr Baksas talked about different issues relating to future telecom business, regulatory affairs and political situations of the Bangladesh.
The Telenor CEO said Bangladesh market is potential for the data business also, but cooperative platform is needed between service providers and others to develop local contents and make affordable handset price.
3G service is developing in the country; he observed and commented "We are working for new technological evolution in Bangladesh telecommunication sector."
"We are investing around 10 to 12 per cent of our total annual revenue income for improvement of telecom services," he also mentioned.
About the country's recent political situation, the Telenor Group president said: "We are concerned about the turmoil in Bangladesh; it will hamper short time investment and affect our revenue as well as other industries."