Robi CEO Sees No Risk in 700MHz Auction, Calls Election Period Inopportune
Robi Axiata CEO Ziad Shatara has said he sees no inherent risk in the planned auction of the 700MHz spectrum, but believes the election period is not an appropriate time to hold such an auction.
He made the remarks on Thursday, December 18, during his first press briefing with telecom journalists, about two and a half months after assuming office.
Ziad Shatara said Robi invested BDT 20 billion this year to ensure quality service for its customers. To safeguard such investments, the company now seeks policy consistency and regulatory certainty.
Responding to a question at the briefing, the Robi CEO said that although the spectrum auction is scheduled for January, the operator believes auctions should not take place ahead of a national election. “An auction means investment, and this is not the right time for investment,” he said, adding that momentum would be stronger if a long-term elected government, rather than an interim one, takes charge after the polls.
In reply to another question, he noted that the country is currently going through a transitional phase, with investors closely watching the election process. “In my opinion, this is not the right time for investment. We expect the economy to rebound after the election,” he added.
Answering a supplementary question, Robi Axiata Company Secretary and Chief Corporate Officer Sahed Alam said the 2018 guidelines should have been reviewed before making changes to the telecom licensing policy. He noted that operators are required to spend around 30 percent of their total expenditure annually on technological upgrades.
He warned that constraints imposed by the licensing policy could hamper the telecom business, adding that contradictions between telecom policies and directives, along with frequent changes, increase investment risk. To address these challenges, he stressed the need for a timely, long-term policy framework.
Sahed Alam also described the decision to cap foreign ownership at 15 percent as risky.
On the issue of internet shutdowns without explanation during the July movement, he said initiatives had been discussed to amend the law following the July 2024 uprising. Rabi has called for mechanisms to ensure accountability through legal provisions. “We expect accountability to be ensured through law. It is not desirable for regulators to issue instructions via WhatsApp or phone calls—any directive should be formal,” he said.
Robi Senior Director Anamika Bhakta and Public Relations officials Ashraful Islam and Shamim Ahmed were also present at the press conference.
DBTech/IH/OR
