DHAKA: Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) issued separate show-cause notices to Grameenphone and Robi seeking explanation in 30 days as to why their 2G and 3G licences should not be revoked for not paying dues.

BTRC Senior Assistant Director Zakir Hossain Khan confirmed the matter to Banglanews on Thursday (September 5).

The telecom regulator will take steps as per the Bangladesh Telecommunications Act 2001, he said.

GP has Tk 12,579.95 crore in dues to BTRC and Tk 867.23 crore from Robi.

Earlier on July 4, the BTRC directed to slash Grameenphone’s and Robi’s bandwidth. 

However, with the mediation of Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed Joy, ICT affairs adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the decision was backtracked.  Bandwidth was given back on July 17.

BTRC chairman said during the press conference: “Finally, with no way out, I made arrangements to stop some bandwidth. The purpose is to rescue the government money. It's public demand, state money. No one has power to forgive anyone. There is no chance of taking less.”

BDST: 2017 HRS, SEP 5, 2019

AH/SMS