IT and Telecommunications Industry News - Page 57

***TIslam*** · January 8th, 2013, 07:28 PM

Middlemen, BTRC policy blamed for sluggish growth

The Financial Express
Published : Tuesday, 01 January 2013

Jamal Uddin

Country's experts have attributed slow growth in Internet to dubious role of middlemen and unrealistic policies of telecommunication regulator Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

Independent ICT experts said, the government should formulate a proper plan to develop the sector considering its overall importance to the economy and the lives of the people.

Diversified use of the technology for development of business, education, communication, health and other activities has significantly ushered in a new era for the world, but surprisingly, Bangladesh is yet to undertake well-thought-out plans to adopt the technology, they said.

At present, two Wimax companies, some fixed broadband internet service providers and six mobile phone operators are offering data service. Nearly 30 million people have access to Internet communication. Of them, over 95 per cent is using mobile internet, BTRC sources said.

"Unholy practices of the middlemen and absence of proper policy now discourage the operators to extend their services rapidly," said Abu Saeed Khan, former secretary general of Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB).

Country`s internet growth is not as satisfactory as voice call despite lowering of bandwidth price to Tk 8,000 from Tk 1,27, 000. Currently, the country uses only 26 GB Internet out of 86 GB capacity, according to the Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL).

Khan identified some problems that have prevented the operators from minimising price at user level and sad, the mobile phone operators have to pay extra to the middlemen such as two companies under Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) despite having their own telecom infrastructure.

He said:" The telecom regulator`s decision to provide NTTN licence is not realistic because mobile phone operators already have such infrastructure and it would be easier by them to expand the network across the country".

He said, the bandwidth price is still high in Bangladesh compared to other South Asian countries. Internet price for 1 MBPS is US$100 in Bangladesh while median price is US$ 25 in Jakarta, US$ 31in Kuala Lumpur, US$ 38 in Mumbai and US$ 60 in Manila.

Former president of Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS) Mostafa Jabbar echoed almost the same views and said "There is no reason for having middlemen between the regulator and the service providers".

He said, the price of bandwidth should have been kept very low to develop the sector because the government has no cost for bandwidth barring only maintenance cost.

However, the veteran ICT specialist said the government should create competitive environment for developing the sector and reduce prices like those of mobile calls.

He said, now operators offer lowest call rate despite the fact that they buy spectrum at the highest price.

He, however, hoped that the sector would expand more after launching of 3G service as the people will get faster data.

The launching of International Terrestrial Cable (ITC) operations as the backup support along with lone submarine cable will give impetus to the businesses relevant to Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.co...85MF8xNTUxNzM=

jason.kazi · January 9th, 2013, 12:00 AM

Internet penetration up by 26.65 pc

DHAKA, Jan 7, 2013 (BSS) - The internet penetration in the country soared by 20.65 percent of the population in the recent years, driven by the rapid expansion of countrywide network and prudent regulatory support.

The number of internet users has reached 3.15 crore from a minimum level only a few years ago, according to the official data.

Taking to BSS, Mostafa Jabber, one of the country's ICT experts, said that the number of internet users has risen with the expansion the countrywide network of cellular phone operators while the contribution of broadband internet service providers - WiMAX and ISPs - was also significant.

"The internet users would be doubled whenever the 3G or mobile broadband services are rolled out across the country, which also help faster GDP growth, as every 10.0 percent internet broadband connection would contribute to 2.0 percent GDP growth in the country," he said.

The noted ICT expert said making the internet broadband available, the employment through outsourcing could be boosted, which would eventually increase the remittance inflow.

Jabber also advocated the reduction of internet bandwidth, as the present bandwidth price is higher compared to the neighboring countries.

According to the official data, the total internet users in the country in 2010 were 14,182,027 when the rate of increase was 9.72 per cent. The users increased by 19.36 percent to reach 2,82,47,877 in 2011.

Besides, the country's mobile phone penetration reached 9.86 crore when the present tele-density rate increased to 65.77 per cent.

Six telecom operators - five multinational companies and one state owned - are giving mobile phone services across the country rolling out their network coverage in 99 per cent area.

Beyond voice call and internet use, people are also getting service for health, agriculture, education, SMS broadcasting and m-commerce through internet by using the mobile technology.

The mobile operators attributed the significant success of the telecom industry to the supportive role of the telecom regulator and ministry in the recent days.

Meanwhile, the telcos are now mapping about data business put next to current voice business as voice market of the country will be saturated in next few years.

Sunil Kanti Bose, chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), said that the BTRC is always working for the expansion of the sector keeping in mind the interest of the common people.

The authority took various types of initiatives to ensure the steady growth of this sector, which would accelerate digitalisation process in the country, he added.

Industry insiders said that the internet infrastructure of the country has achieved a mark by ensuring its back up through connectivity of international terrestrial cable (ITC) that will
make certain uninterrupted flow of information.

They said it is a 'back through' for the ICT (information communication technology) sector development, which is facing problem for long days due to dependent on lone submarine cable- SEA-ME-WE-4. Now the foreign investors will show their interest to invest in the country's ICT sector due to ensuring its back up, they added.

Source: BSS

Naveedm.rahman · January 21st, 2013, 02:09 PM

Bangladesh opens market for separate BTS management firms

Monday 21 January 2013

Bangladesh is set to open its market for third parties to manage base transceiver stations (BTS). The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has decided to allow such companies to operate in the country, state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangban Sangstha (BSS) reported. The mobile phone operators will then be able to benefit from BTS management services through an associate organisation, but initially, they have to form a separate company to run the management business, said Sunil Kanti Bose, chairman of BTRC. Mahmudur Rahman, executive vice-president of Robi, said the operator has received permission from the regulator to run a BTS management company.

News Source:
telecompaper.com

jason.kazi · April 4th, 2013, 07:23 AM

BTRC sets 1Mbps as minimum internet speed for broadband

Staff Correspondent

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission on Tuesday asked all internet service providers to redesign their package with minimum bandwidth of 1Mbps under a new definition of broadband internet.
The BTRC notice said that anything below 1MBps would be counted as narrow-band and the broadband internet would be at or above of the BTRC benchmark.
The internet service
providers will have to redesign their packages and deliver service to users under the newly structure packages by April 30, the notice said.
The ISPs will have to use the newly introduced subscriber information form for their client while offering packages with new bandwidth, it also said.
The BTRC recently introduced ‘subscriber acquisition form’ which requires a number of information including the fingerprint and photograph of the internet users.
Under the new registration process, an internet service user of any ISP will need to provide information about his/her occupation, copy of identity card, present and permanent address, billing address, names of parents and spouse and name of a third person as identifier.
The form will also ask for information from the side of ISPs that includes IP address of the user, distributors name and code, and retailers name and code.
The telecom regulator in Tuesday’s notice also requested the internet users not to subscribe any narrow-band service or make any payment for any such already subscribed service.
The BTRC officials said that government was planning to reduce the bandwidth price along with making it faster for the users.

Source: New Age

tislam84 · April 4th, 2013, 04:29 PM

My parents recently got wireless internet in their home. I got to say, the Skype quality is much better now!

***TIslam*** · April 4th, 2013, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tislam84

My parents recently got wireless internet in their home. I got to say, the Skype quality is much better now!

The problem that I observed is inconsistent quality. But overall, it has improved a great deal. Who is the provider at your folks house?

tislam84 · April 4th, 2013, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIslam

The problem that I observed is inconsistent quality. But overall, it has improved a great deal. Who is the provider at your folks house?

Oh really? I have to check next time if the quality changes.

I didn't ask what ISP they use, I'll ask them soon.

jason.kazi · April 18th, 2013, 08:07 AM

QUBEE launches 4G network
→ Business Desk

QUBEE launched 4G network across Bangladesh aiming to providing better services to its users.

As per the launching, the customers of QUBEE will be able to utilise the fast world-class service through QUBEE’s 4G network, said a press release.

QUBEE has started campaigning from April 14.

QUBEE will also open up its network to everyone for free trial. Individuals with unused QUBEE connections can enjoy a 7-day free trial from 14th till 21st April.

Source: Daily Sun

eMelus · April 20th, 2013, 11:01 AM

Many of Bangladesh' websites seem to be down...CAAB, Qubee, Western Marine...

***TIslam*** · April 20th, 2013, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eMelus

Many of Bangladesh' websites seem to be down...CAAB, Qubee, Western Marine...

They need their beauty sleep.

dopekhor · April 20th, 2013, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason.kazi

QUBEE launches 4G network
→ Business Desk

QUBEE launched 4G network across Bangladesh aiming to providing better services to its users.

As per the launching, the customers of QUBEE will be able to utilise the fast world-class service through QUBEE’s 4G network, said a press release.

QUBEE has started campaigning from April 14.

QUBEE will also open up its network to everyone for free trial. Individuals with unused QUBEE connections can enjoy a 7-day free trial from 14th till 21st April.

Source: Daily Sun

4g as in LTE? get out

jason.kazi · April 20th, 2013, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIslam

They need their beauty sleep.

All three are up for me, so must be a secluded problem.

***TIslam*** · April 20th, 2013, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dopekhor

4g as in LTE? get out

It is WiMax, not a reliable technology. Most providers who adopted WiMax at its inception switched to LTE. So, over long term QUBEE may become a one-off technology company, just like CityCell.

d0nny · April 21st, 2013, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIslam

It is WiMax, not a reliable technology. Most providers who adopted WiMax at its inception switched to LTE. So, over long term QUBEE may become a one-off technology company, just like CityCell.

Which internet provider would you recommend for the Sylhet City area?

Thanks

***TIslam*** · April 21st, 2013, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d0nny

Which internet provider would you recommend for the Sylhet City area?

Thanks

There is supposedly a large broadband provider by the name of sol-bd, although I couldn't even get to their website http://www.sol-bd.com. BTCL's ADSL service is supposedly now available in all districts of Bangladesh. They work through a reseller called BCUBE, http://www.bcube.net.bd/

Whatever you decide, please do your own research to analyze the details (of service offering, rates, terms of service, quality as rated by third party, etc.), before you make a decision.

eMelus · April 21st, 2013, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason.kazi

QUBEE launches 4G network
→ Business Desk

QUBEE launched 4G network across Bangladesh aiming to providing better services to its users.

As per the launching, the customers of QUBEE will be able to utilise the fast world-class service through QUBEE’s 4G network, said a press release.

QUBEE has started campaigning from April 14.

QUBEE will also open up its network to everyone for free trial. Individuals with unused QUBEE connections can enjoy a 7-day free trial from 14th till 21st April.

Source: Daily Sun

I really don't understand the point of this article, we already have "4G", or WiMax in this case. Btw, Teletalk would probably begin LTE operation soon...

?

eMelus · April 21st, 2013, 11:07 PM

. .

***TIslam*** · April 22nd, 2013, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eMelus

I really don't understand the point of this article, we already have "4G", or WiMax, in this case. Btw, Teletalk would probably begin LTE operation soon...

?

Welcome to the world of news media in Bangladesh.

January 8th, 2013, 07:28 PM	#1121
*TIslam* Towhid Islam Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ann Arbor Posts: 7,132 Likes (Received): 83	Bangladesh uses only 26 out of 86 GB Internet capacity Middlemen, BTRC policy blamed for sluggish growth The Financial Express Published : Tuesday, 01 January 2013 Jamal Uddin Country's experts have attributed slow growth in Internet to dubious role of middlemen and unrealistic policies of telecommunication regulator Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). Independent ICT experts said, the government should formulate a proper plan to develop the sector considering its overall importance to the economy and the lives of the people. Diversified use of the technology for development of business, education, communication, health and other activities has significantly ushered in a new era for the world, but surprisingly, Bangladesh is yet to undertake well-thought-out plans to adopt the technology, they said. At present, two Wimax companies, some fixed broadband internet service providers and six mobile phone operators are offering data service. Nearly 30 million people have access to Internet communication. Of them, over 95 per cent is using mobile internet, BTRC sources said. "Unholy practices of the middlemen and absence of proper policy now discourage the operators to extend their services rapidly," said Abu Saeed Khan, former secretary general of Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB). Country`s internet growth is not as satisfactory as voice call despite lowering of bandwidth price to Tk 8,000 from Tk 1,27, 000. Currently, the country uses only 26 GB Internet out of 86 GB capacity, according to the Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL). Khan identified some problems that have prevented the operators from minimising price at user level and sad, the mobile phone operators have to pay extra to the middlemen such as two companies under Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) despite having their own telecom infrastructure. He said:" The telecom regulator`s decision to provide NTTN licence is not realistic because mobile phone operators already have such infrastructure and it would be easier by them to expand the network across the country". He said, the bandwidth price is still high in Bangladesh compared to other South Asian countries. Internet price for 1 MBPS is US$100 in Bangladesh while median price is US$ 25 in Jakarta, US$ 31in Kuala Lumpur, US$ 38 in Mumbai and US$ 60 in Manila. Former president of Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS) Mostafa Jabbar echoed almost the same views and said "There is no reason for having middlemen between the regulator and the service providers". He said, the price of bandwidth should have been kept very low to develop the sector because the government has no cost for bandwidth barring only maintenance cost. However, the veteran ICT specialist said the government should create competitive environment for developing the sector and reduce prices like those of mobile calls. He said, now operators offer lowest call rate despite the fact that they buy spectrum at the highest price. He, however, hoped that the sector would expand more after launching of 3G service as the people will get faster data. The launching of International Terrestrial Cable (ITC) operations as the backup support along with lone submarine cable will give impetus to the businesses relevant to Information and Communication Technology (ICT). http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.co...85MF8xNTUxNzM=

April 20th, 2013, 11:01 AM	#1129
eMelus Peruser Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: OEMA Posts: 48 Likes (Received): 2	Many of Bangladesh' websites seem to be down...CAAB, Qubee, Western Marine... __________________ BANGLADESH is actually doing something! http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-p...134121317.html

April 21st, 2013, 11:07 PM	#1137
eMelus Peruser Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: OEMA Posts: 48 Likes (Received): 2	. . __________________ BANGLADESH is actually doing something! http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-p...134121317.html Last edited by eMelus; April 22nd, 2013 at 01:23 PM.

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January 9th, 2013, 12:00 AM	#1122
jason.kazi Supermember Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,290 Likes (Received): 47	Internet penetration up by 26.65 pc DHAKA, Jan 7, 2013 (BSS) - The internet penetration in the country soared by 20.65 percent of the population in the recent years, driven by the rapid expansion of countrywide network and prudent regulatory support. The number of internet users has reached 3.15 crore from a minimum level only a few years ago, according to the official data. Taking to BSS, Mostafa Jabber, one of the country's ICT experts, said that the number of internet users has risen with the expansion the countrywide network of cellular phone operators while the contribution of broadband internet service providers - WiMAX and ISPs - was also significant. "The internet users would be doubled whenever the 3G or mobile broadband services are rolled out across the country, which also help faster GDP growth, as every 10.0 percent internet broadband connection would contribute to 2.0 percent GDP growth in the country," he said. The noted ICT expert said making the internet broadband available, the employment through outsourcing could be boosted, which would eventually increase the remittance inflow. Jabber also advocated the reduction of internet bandwidth, as the present bandwidth price is higher compared to the neighboring countries. According to the official data, the total internet users in the country in 2010 were 14,182,027 when the rate of increase was 9.72 per cent. The users increased by 19.36 percent to reach 2,82,47,877 in 2011. Besides, the country's mobile phone penetration reached 9.86 crore when the present tele-density rate increased to 65.77 per cent. Six telecom operators - five multinational companies and one state owned - are giving mobile phone services across the country rolling out their network coverage in 99 per cent area. Beyond voice call and internet use, people are also getting service for health, agriculture, education, SMS broadcasting and m-commerce through internet by using the mobile technology. The mobile operators attributed the significant success of the telecom industry to the supportive role of the telecom regulator and ministry in the recent days. Meanwhile, the telcos are now mapping about data business put next to current voice business as voice market of the country will be saturated in next few years. Sunil Kanti Bose, chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), said that the BTRC is always working for the expansion of the sector keeping in mind the interest of the common people. The authority took various types of initiatives to ensure the steady growth of this sector, which would accelerate digitalisation process in the country, he added. Industry insiders said that the internet infrastructure of the country has achieved a mark by ensuring its back up through connectivity of international terrestrial cable (ITC) that will make certain uninterrupted flow of information. They said it is a 'back through' for the ICT (information communication technology) sector development, which is facing problem for long days due to dependent on lone submarine cable- SEA-ME-WE-4. Now the foreign investors will show their interest to invest in the country's ICT sector due to ensuring its back up, they added. Source: BSS

January 21st, 2013, 02:09 PM	#1123
Naveedm.rahman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 286 Likes (Received): 19	Bangladesh opens market for separate BTS management firms Monday 21 January 2013 Bangladesh is set to open its market for third parties to manage base transceiver stations (BTS). The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has decided to allow such companies to operate in the country, state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangban Sangstha (BSS) reported. The mobile phone operators will then be able to benefit from BTS management services through an associate organisation, but initially, they have to form a separate company to run the management business, said Sunil Kanti Bose, chairman of BTRC. Mahmudur Rahman, executive vice-president of Robi, said the operator has received permission from the regulator to run a BTS management company. News Source: telecompaper.com

April 4th, 2013, 07:23 AM	#1124
jason.kazi Supermember Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,290 Likes (Received): 47	BTRC sets 1Mbps as minimum internet speed for broadband Staff Correspondent The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission on Tuesday asked all internet service providers to redesign their package with minimum bandwidth of 1Mbps under a new definition of broadband internet. The BTRC notice said that anything below 1MBps would be counted as narrow-band and the broadband internet would be at or above of the BTRC benchmark. The internet service providers will have to redesign their packages and deliver service to users under the newly structure packages by April 30, the notice said. The ISPs will have to use the newly introduced subscriber information form for their client while offering packages with new bandwidth, it also said. The BTRC recently introduced ‘subscriber acquisition form’ which requires a number of information including the fingerprint and photograph of the internet users. Under the new registration process, an internet service user of any ISP will need to provide information about his/her occupation, copy of identity card, present and permanent address, billing address, names of parents and spouse and name of a third person as identifier. The form will also ask for information from the side of ISPs that includes IP address of the user, distributors name and code, and retailers name and code. The telecom regulator in Tuesday’s notice also requested the internet users not to subscribe any narrow-band service or make any payment for any such already subscribed service. The BTRC officials said that government was planning to reduce the bandwidth price along with making it faster for the users. Source: New Age

April 4th, 2013, 04:29 PM	#1125
tislam84 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lexington Posts: 1,234 Likes (Received): 10	My parents recently got wireless internet in their home. I got to say, the Skype quality is much better now!

April 18th, 2013, 08:07 AM	#1128
jason.kazi Supermember Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,290 Likes (Received): 47	QUBEE launches 4G network → Business Desk QUBEE launched 4G network across Bangladesh aiming to providing better services to its users. As per the launching, the customers of QUBEE will be able to utilise the fast world-class service through QUBEE’s 4G network, said a press release. QUBEE has started campaigning from April 14. QUBEE will also open up its network to everyone for free trial. Individuals with unused QUBEE connections can enjoy a 7-day free trial from 14th till 21st April. Source: Daily Sun