ZCZC
BSS-32
GP-BANDWIDTH-PRESS
GP calls bandwidth cut inappropriate
DHAKA, July 7, 2019 (BSS) – Mobile phone operator Grameenphone has termed the bandwidth cut down to 30 percent as illegal, saying the telecom regulator’s blocking bandwidth for disputed demand is inappropriate.
“Grameenphone believes this move is illegal, and the company will seek intervention of the Court against this unconscionable decision of the regulator,” Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Foley said at a press conference in a city hotel today.
He requested BTRC to “withdraw the referenced directives and cooperate in resolving the disputed audit demand through a constructive arbitration process under the Arbitration Act 2001.”
The operator said it was very unfortunate that directives to the IIG operators were given in an attempt by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to pressure GP to pay a disputed audit claim.
The directive would also have a negative consequence for local business communities and for the affected IIGs as they would lose potential revenue and business opportunities for a situation totally outside their control, said Grameenphone.
On July 4, BTRC directed all the International Internet Gateway operators to cut down 30 percent bandwidth of the total usage of Grameenphone while it was 15 percent for Robi for outstanding dues.
The regulator took such punitive measures for the first time against the mobile network operators (MNOs) for “bringing discipline in telecom sector”.
Grameenphone has outstanding dues of Taka 12,579 crore while the amount was Taka 867.24 crore for Robi, according to the BTRC’s audit claim.
The telecom regulator issued demand notes to the respective operators several times. BTRC had run technical and financial audits on their network from its inception to since 2015.
Before this decision, market leader Grameenphone consumed 209.93 Gbps bandwidth and after the decision it was brought down to 146.95 Gbps. Besides, Robi consumed about 150.67 gigabits per second bandwidth which was brought down to 128 Gbps.
Earlier the regulator suspended issuing no objection certificate (NOC) for importing equipment to run the network.
According to BTRC, as of May, Grameenphone has 7.48 crore active connections while Robi owns 4.77 crore connections and about half of them are using internet.
BSS/MAK/BR/2020 HRS