13 lakh for each MHz Spectrum
The number of mobile phone users is increasing constantly in Bangladesh but the allotment of spectrum for mobile operators has not increased accordingly which causes disruptions in using mobile phones.
Data provided by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) shows that each MHz spectrum has been allotted for 13 lakh 30 thousand mobile phone users which is much more than the number of users in Nepal and Myanmar.
As per BTRC data, 4 mobile phone operators provided connections to 17 crores 18 lakh 54 thousand users and for this huge number of users, 129.2 MHz spectrum of the various bands has been allotted. GrameenPhone got 37 MHz spectrum allotted which includes 900, 1800 and 2100 bandwidth where as Robi, Banglalink and Teletalk got 36.4, 30.6 and 25.20 MHz respectively. While analyzing the Data, we found that over 21 lakh 55 thousand GrameenPhone customers use each MHz spectrum. The number is more than 14 lakh for Robi Axiata, over 11 lakh 61 thousand for Banglalink Digital Communications Ltd. and more than 2 lakh 15 thousand for the customers of Teletalk. Experts in the telecom sector state that, only if the operators increase the spectrum range, the users can enjoy uninterrupted services. In order to address the problem, BTRC has called an auction for allotting 2 unused spectra on 8 March, 2021 at Hotel Intercontinental in the capital.
All 4 operators- Grameen Phone, Robi, Banglalink and Teletalk are going to bid the auction as informed by BTRC. In 5 blocks 7.4 MHz of 1800 band capacity and in 4 blocks 20 MHz of 2100 band capacity will go for auction. The floor price will be as the price of 2018 which was 31 million Dollars for 1800 band, 27 million Dollars for 2100 band spectrum.
