Experts Seek Transparency in Spectrum Pricing

Fresh discussions have emerged in Bangladesh’s telecommunications sector over spectrum pricing, unsold spectrum and operators’ financial capacity. Industry experts have stressed the need for clear and publicly available documentation explaining the mathematical and analytical basis used to determine reserve prices in previous spectrum auctions.

Tthe issues were discussed at a roundtable held on October 15, Saturday at a hotel in the capital. The meeting focused on efficient spectrum utilisation, a rational pricing framework and the business realities of the telecommunications sector.

Telecom expert Munir Hasan said data is the oxygen of digital connectivity. According to data presented by him, Bangladesh ranks 86th among 103 countries in mobile data speed, with a speed of 41.72 Mbps.

He said data usage in Bangladesh increased from 1.1 GB to 8.4 GB between 2018 and 2026. However, he said 53% of the country’s population remains offline due to the high cost of spectrum. Bangladesh also has higher spectrum prices compared with other Asian countries, he claimed.

Munir Hossain Hasan said five spectrum auctions were held between 2018 and 2026, but more than 40% of the spectrum remained unsold. Due to a lack of competition, 60% of the spectrum in the 700 MHz band, widely known as “golden spectrum”, also remained unsold.

He therefore recommended reforming the spectrum valuation framework. He stressed the need to establish benchmarks based on network economics, business economics and market evidence to determine defensible and rational spectrum prices.

MTOB Secretary General Md Zulfikar said stronger discussions were needed on transparency in determining spectrum auction floor prices, the business impact of unsold spectrum and the financial capacity of operators.

He said clear public documentation was essential to explain the mathematical or analytical basis on which reserve prices had been determined in previous spectrum auctions.

In his welcome speech, TRNB General Secretary Faruk Hossain said the meeting was organised to highlight practical issues, including balanced spectrum allocation among operators and problems such as eGSM, and to seek proper guidance on these matters.

The roundtable was chaired by S M Masduzzaman Robin, President of the Telecom and Technology Reporters Network Bangladesh (TRNB). Prime Minister’s ICT and Telecom Adviser Rehan Asif Asad attended the meeting as the chief guest.

Among others, BTRC Chairman Md Emdad Ul Bari, MTOB President and Robi CEO Ziad Satara, Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman, Banglalink Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Johan Buse and telecom expert TIM Nurul Kabir were present at the meeting.

Grameenphone Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Tanvir Mohammad, Banglalink Chief Corporate Officer Taimur Rahman and Robi Company Secretary Sahed Alam also spoke at the meeting.

//DBTech/IH/SME//