Workshop held on VoLTE enabled Mobile Handsets and Network Optimization
New handset registration process will start again from July 1 to bring SIM-like phones under registration. And till June 30, the unofficial phones that will be connected to the network will be automatically registered.
This information was conveyed by the Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) Engineer Md. Mohiuddin Ahmed.
The BTRC Chairman said, the new handset registration process will start from July 1. Any illegal or unofficial phones connected to the network until the previous day will not be blocked. Rather, it will be registered automatically.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) launched the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) project for the first time in the country in July 2021 to control the market of unregistered handsets smuggled into the country and protect domestic manufacturers. However, the project was closed within a few weeks of its commencement.
Then on January 16, the State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak said that BTRC has a system of mobile phone database and automatic registration. Therefore, unregistered mobile phones will be closed to control crime.
Meanwhile, it has been reported in the workshop on VoLTE-enabled Mobile Handset and Network Optimization that 2G technology will be closed in Bangladesh by 2029. BTRC has ordered the production of VoLTE-enabled mobile phones in all feature phones so that the customer does not suffer while talking. Customers can talk using VoLTE technology. But the manufacturers have to add this technology to the handset without increasing the price of the mobile phone.
Around 100 participants including representatives of Mobile Phone Industry Honors Association of Bangladesh and Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) were present in the meeting.
In his welcome speech at the workshop, Director General of Spectrum Division, Brig. Gen. Mohammad Moniruzzaman Jewel said, the journey of mobile industry in the country started in 2017 under the supervision of BTRC. Currently 17 companies are manufacturing mobile handsets in the country. Through which 99% handsets of the country’s demand are being met from domestic production. Due to this, there has been foreign direct investment along with domestic investment in this industry. He also said that a major component of the spectrum roadmap of BTRC is to phase out 2G network/technology from the country by 2029-2030. So, from now onwards 2G devices/handsets will be gradually replaced by 4G capable smart/feature phones from the market. This workshop is actually organized to consider the issue of replacement.
Later, Lt. Col. Awal Uddin Ahmed, Director of Spectrum Division of the Commission gave a detailed presentation on the importance and scope of VoLTE, technical procedures and operational principles and strategy implementation.
The concerned officials/experts attending the workshop were divided into four groups (a) network evaluation (b) manufacturers (c) quality control and (d) VoLTE services etc. They participated in discussions, process analysis and outcome determination. Whereas, assessing current network infrastructure, assessing VoLTE readiness and defining network KPIs for VoLTE, technical considerations for VoLTE devices, collaboration and partnerships, quality assurance systems, device certification standards, network-device integration testing, VoLTE service tariffs and awareness, Detailed discussions and action plans on VoLTE capabilities and customer experience are defined.
Commission’s Spectrum Division Commissioner Engineer Sheikh Riaz Ahmed emphasized on equal preparation of all operators for VoLTE adaptation. Besides, he expressed hope that operators who have not done 3G sunset (utility network shutdown) will do so soon. He assured to provide any kind of regulatory assistance in the related process, prioritizing the issue of the workshop.
The Commissioner of Finance, Accounts and Revenue Division of the Commission Dr. Mushfiq Mannan Chowdhury said that through industry-academia coordination and cooperation, the latest technology should reach the customer at the right time.
Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) Secretary General Lt Col (retd) Mohammad Zulfikar said in his speech, VoLTE is a technology requirement and mobile operators are fully prepared to adapt to this change in technology. He noted that since networks and devices are complementary, both need to be improved.
Secretary General of Mobile Phone Industry Owners Association of Bangladesh (MIOB) Zakaria Shaheed specifically sought the cooperation of mobile operators regarding VoLTE enabled mobile handsets and network optimization. Mobile phone manufacturing companies expressed hope that they will produce mobile phones as cheaply as possible for customers.