BTRC once again slashed the spectrum conversion fee for technology neutrality as the mobile phone operators have objected to reduce the cost further in the 4G guideline. The revised guideline have fixed the fee $4 million per Megahertz.
Initially, it was $10 million and then it was reduced to $75 million. But the operators are not agreed to pay more than $2 million as spectrum neutrality fee. However, sources confirmed that the updated guideline has been sent to the Telecommunications Department on Wednes-day last.
Operators used to offer different types of services on each spectrum of the band now-a-days. But if they get access into the spectrum neutrality then they can offer services in any band of spectrum.
Such as, operators has to use 2100 band in 3G services, 900 and 1800 band for 2G. 700 bands may be fixed as 4G services. If the spectrum is neutralized, the band specification will not be required.
Earlier, on 13 September the Prime Minister approved the 4G guidelines. After receiving this, the operators officially objected to 23 point of the guideline.
The objections include to save customer data for 12 years, borrowing no money from local banks or taking local investment opportunities, getting the consent of BTRC in the expenditure of social responsibility fund, the government can make any change in revenue sharing, if wishes, the speed of mobile data, refunding unused balance of customers and so on.
Earlier on October 18, Prime Minister's Information and Communication Technology Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy gave some instructions to BTRC with a view to conquering various complications related to the policy of 4G.
He settled the unresolved issues between mobile phone operators and the BTRC to finalize the policy. After that the regulatory body BTRC met with mobile operators to discuss the progress of 4G on October 30.
But till the meeting, BTRC didn't receive the resolutions of the meeting and couldn't start the process making amendment to the policy. However, after getting the resolutions, BTRC finally made the amendment and sent it to the Telecommunications Department.
According to the revised policy, 2100 MHz, 1800 MHz and 900 MHz will be auctioned. Of which, the price of a Megahertz of 2100 bands will be $27 million. And for the 1800 and 900 bands, the basis for a Megahertz spectrum auction will be worth $3o million.
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