ICX Controversy: Capacity Cuts and Cost Hikes Spark Tender Scrutiny
The government initiated the Interconnection Exchange (ICX) project in 2022 to enhance mobile customer service by reducing call drops. The Switching and Transmission Network (STN) project under BTCL has already faced three annulled tenders due to irregularities. The fourth tender was published on August 13 this year.
However, the latest tender has also drawn scrutiny. In the revised tender, the minimum ICX capacity was reduced from 50,000 SIP trunks to 32,500 SIP trunks, raising questions once again. Allegations suggest that the capacity reduction was aimed at favoring a controversial company that had participated in the third tender, which was previously annulled.
According to available information, the company, named Genew, had applied for the provision of equipment with a capacity of 50,000 SIP trunks in the annulled tender. However, it failed to prove its technical capability, leading to disqualification despite a lower bid. Sheikh Saleh Ahmed, a former member-secretary of the sub-committee linked to the annulment, said, “At that time, we found errors in the documentation. Simultaneously, we recommended including a relevant faculty member from an engineering university in the evaluation committee in the national interest.”
Toufiqul Islam, the current project director, acknowledged the appointment of an expert in the evaluation committee but denied that anyone from BUET or any other engineering university was officially included. Regarding the reduction of ICX minimum capacity from 50,000 to 32,500 SIP trunks, he explained, “This was based on the maximum 32,500 call records from the Mohakhali switch among Mohakhali, BSN, Chattogram, Khulna, Bogura, and Sylhet. I signed the directive alone, but it had the concurrence of the BTCL MD and DMD. Although there is no separate document of this agreement, there is a note regarding it.”
Documents from the fourth tender indicate that the third tender had been annulled based on the board’s decision. Following the recommendations of the relevant committee, the annulled tender was reissued on July 29, with submissions received by August 28. On September 11, it was proposed to the management board for final approval. As a routine procedure, a three-member verification committee was formed for the second time. Mizanur Rahman, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and a member of the committee, stated, “We will meet again to discuss this.”
Reducing the SIP capacity has reportedly increased the project cost by nearly BDT 12.5 million. Questions have arisen regarding how higher capacity was previously proposed at a lower cost.
Toufiqul Islam said regarding the final approval, “The board will decide on the matter. I have no individual authority here. If the board deems necessary, a new tender may be announced.”
Efforts to obtain comments from BTCL Managing Director Engr. M. Mamunur Rashid through written questions on WhatsApp and phone calls were directed to contact the public relations office instead, as he did not provide a direct comment.
