Recently we featured WiMAX deployment in Philipines by Globe Telecom & Huawei. Later on people in Dhaka Bangladesh will discover WiMAX soon.

BanglaLion Communication LTD, BRAC BD Mail Network Ltd and Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh Ltd — won the licences from Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to operate Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) services nationwide using WiMAX technology in 18 November 2008.

The license was obtained through an open bid process at a cost of about 31 million USD. BanglaLion was the highest bidder in obtaining the access frequency in 2.5 GHz band. The license allows using WiMAX standard 802.16e and onward revisions only. It allows VoIP services as well.
















BanglaLion said it would be ready to launch WiMAX services in Dhaka by June. Apparently they will be the first company to provide WiMAX service in Bangladesh.

Continue Reading...

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission

Invitation of proposals/offers for grant of license for Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) Services:

1. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (the Commission) invites proposals/offers from eligible Bangladeshi entities or joint venture companies with foreign/Bangladeshi partners (proprietorships, partnerships and companies registered under ‘Joint Stock of Companies and Firms’ under the Companies Act 1994) for grant of license to establish, maintain and operate Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) Services. Only entities having adequate financial, technical and organizational capability to serve in the field should apply with an updated list of their business record and record of experience.
   
2. The Applicant(s) companies/proprietorships for the Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) Services should be registered with Registrar, Joint Stock of Companies and Firms, as well as with the concerned chamber of commerce and industries and hold an up to date Certificate of Income Tax and/or TIN/BIN certificate. Copies of the certification of registration should be submitted with the proposal/offer.
3. In case of foreign companies (applying with Bangladeshi partners), the Certificate of Registration of the said foreign Company from Joint Stock of Companies or Firms or equivalent authority of its Country of Origin should be provided with the proposal/offer.
4. The prescribed application form along with general terms and conditions are included in the “Regulatory and Licensing Guidelines” which can be obtained from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (the Commission), Shetu Bhaban, Banani, Dhaka-1212 during working days and hours on payment of nonrefundable Tk. 50,000.00 (Taka fifty thousand) only for each copy in the form of bank draft/pay order in favour of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission by making an application to the Commission in its letterhead.
5. All applications duly sealed are to be submitted in the tender box kept in the BTRC, Shetu Bhaban, Banani, Dhaka-1212 addressing the Chairman, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission on or before 12.00 hrs on 11th September, 2008. The sealed application(s) will be opened by the representatives of the Commission at 12.30 hrs in the office of the Commission on the same day in presence of the Applicant(s) who are present. Applications will not be received after the deadline i.e.12.00 hrs on 11th September, 2008.
6. The Commission will issue 3 (three) Licenses for Broadband Wireless Access Services as per Regulatory and Licensing Guidelines for Broadband Wireless Access Services License.
7. Regulatory and Licensing Guidelines containing among other things, the Guidelines for invitation of application for issuing of license for Broadband Wireless Access Services is also available in the Commission website: www.btrc.gov.bd for information only.
8. Any Applicant may communicate for clarification on the subject in writing along with soft copy to the Director, Legal and Licensing Division, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, by 17:00 hrs of 16th August, 2008. There will be a pre-offer/pre-bid meeting for any clarification or explanation on the matter on 20th August, 2008 at a time and place to be notified later. Those who are interested to attend the pre-offer/ pre-bid meeting shall register with Director, Legal and Licensing Division, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission on or before 17:00 hrs 16th August, 2008.
9. Any proposal/offer submitted which does not comply with any of the above terms and conditions will not be accepted.
10. The Commission reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals/ offers, without assigning any reason thereof.
    

Director
Legal and Licensing Division
BTRC

Continue Reading...

Bangladesh WiMAX First Introduces Augere Brand Name 'Qubee'

Jerry Mobbs, chief executive officer of
Augere, speaks at the launch of the
company's wireless broadband service
in Dhaka yesterday.Photo: Masthead PR

Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh Ltd yesterday launched the much-waited wireless broadband service through WiMax in some designated areas in Dhaka.

Augere, one of the two WiMax licensees, is the first company in Bangladesh to launch such service under the brand name 'Qubee'.

Augere is initially offering two packages. Customer will have to pay Tk 3,400 a month for the Qubee 512 kbps package. The monthly charge for the Qubee 1 Mb has been fixed at Tk 6,200, while the modem price for both the packages is Tk 7,000.

Initially, the Qubee service is available for businesses and residential customers in Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, Mirpur and Uttara. Qubee will be available across Bangladesh soon.

WiMax is a technology that provides wireless transmission of data using a variety of transmission modes from point-to-multipoint links to portable and fully mobile internet access. The technology supports peak download rates of up to 46 Mbps and peak uplink rates of up to 14 Mbps.

Jerry Mobbs, chief executive officer of Augere Bangladesh, Russell T Ahmed, chief marketing officer, were present at the launching ceremony.

"We can offer low priced packages, but our goal is to ensure quality first," said Ahmed. "We believe our services will satisfy our customers."

Augere also unveiled a Qubee Flagship Store at Gulshan to provide 24-hour customer services.

Three bidders -- BanglaLion Communication, BRAC BD Mail Network Ltd and Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh Ltd -- won the WiMax licences through an auction organised by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in September last year. However, BRAC later refused to take the licence.

UK-based Augere Holdings owns 60 percent of Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh Ltd along with two local companies. Teleport Bangladesh owns 30 percent and Aamra Resources Ltd owns the remaining 10 percent.

Continue Reading...