The longstanding demand of telecom operators for infrastructure sharing is finally gaining traction. In pursuit of this goal, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has drafted guidelines for the exchange of telecommunications infrastructure among operators. This initiative is expected to reduce the clutter of overhead broadband cables and bring more order to the sector. While the draft allows for RAN sharing, mobile operators such as Grameenphone, Robi, and Banglalink have expressed hopes for provisions including active sharing and MOCAN (Multi-Operator Core Access Network) sharing.
On Tuesday, top executives and CEOs of these mobile operators discussed the draft “Infrastructure Sharing Guideline” in a meeting with BTRC Chairman Major General Md. Emdad Ul Bari (Retd.). However, two Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) operators have raised concerns, claiming that certain provisions in the draft guidelines conflict with the existing NTTN guidelines.
Considering the feedback from all stakeholders, the BTRC aims to introduce a final guideline that reflects diverse perspectives while prioritizing national interests. To ensure transparency and inclusivity, the draft guideline was published on the BTRC website on Wednesday, December 11, seeking public opinion. Interested parties have been given one week to submit their feedback.
A table has been provided alongside the draft, where respondents can refer to specific sections and propose their recommendations in an organized format. Opinions are to be sent via email to [email protected] and [email protected].
The draft guidelines emphasize the prevention of duplication and clutter in telecommunications infrastructure through shared use instead of standalone operations. They also highlight the optimal use of land for infrastructure development. The initiative is seen as a step toward curbing the dominance of NTTN operators, fostering a more balanced and efficient telecom ecosystem.
It is noteworthy that BTRC first issued a telecommunications infrastructure guideline in 2008.
