WiMax operators that have received the long-term evolution (LTE) licences will not be able to provide exclusive voice services like mobile operators, the telecom regulator said yesterday.
The WiMax operators working with broadband wireless access (BWA) are responsible for data services, not voice, said Sunil Kanti Bose, chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.
“The BWA and cellular licences are meant for different services and have different courses of action,” he said.
The WiMax operators are allowed to offer their services through laptops or personal computers, not through mobiles, he said.
But if they set up LTE equipment, they will be able to offer internet protocol calls such as Skype or Viber with the mobility facility, he added.
Recently, the government amended the BWA licensing guideline offering LTE services for the WiMax operators.
The government also gave a new licence to Bangladesh Internet Exchange Ltd (BIEL) that operates as an internet service provider under the brand name of OLLO.
However, the mobile operators raised concerns about the amendment, as WiMax operators would get the opportunity to provide voice services as well.
The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh also wrote to the government and the regulator on the matter.
“It will be noted that OLLO won’t be able to provide cellular voice services,” Bose said.
BTRC has already asked OLLO to deposit its license and spectrum fee.
After paying 50 percent of the total spectrum charge of Tk 245 crore, OLLO will get its licence, Bose said.
Last month, BTRC permitted two existing BWA licensees—Banglalion and Qubee—to roll out their network with LTE technology.
BTRC allowed the BWA licensees to upgrade their network with LTE technology as the WiMax technology is going to become extinct in the next few years.
source: http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/btrc-wont-allow-wimax-firms-to-give-voice-services/
The WiMax operators working with broadband wireless access (BWA) are responsible for data services, not voice, said Sunil Kanti Bose, chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.
“The BWA and cellular licences are meant for different services and have different courses of action,” he said.
The WiMax operators are allowed to offer their services through laptops or personal computers, not through mobiles, he said.
But if they set up LTE equipment, they will be able to offer internet protocol calls such as Skype or Viber with the mobility facility, he added.
Recently, the government amended the BWA licensing guideline offering LTE services for the WiMax operators.
The government also gave a new licence to Bangladesh Internet Exchange Ltd (BIEL) that operates as an internet service provider under the brand name of OLLO.
However, the mobile operators raised concerns about the amendment, as WiMax operators would get the opportunity to provide voice services as well.
The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh also wrote to the government and the regulator on the matter.
“It will be noted that OLLO won’t be able to provide cellular voice services,” Bose said.
BTRC has already asked OLLO to deposit its license and spectrum fee.
After paying 50 percent of the total spectrum charge of Tk 245 crore, OLLO will get its licence, Bose said.
Last month, BTRC permitted two existing BWA licensees—Banglalion and Qubee—to roll out their network with LTE technology.
BTRC allowed the BWA licensees to upgrade their network with LTE technology as the WiMax technology is going to become extinct in the next few years.
source: http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/btrc-wont-allow-wimax-firms-to-give-voice-services/
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