BTRC warns operators over interconnectivity

Wed Jul 27, 2005 1:48 pm            

Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) warned of drastic punishment if any fixed or cell phone operators fail to resolve interconnectivity congestion bilaterally.

The BTRC, the country's telecom watchdog, at a meeting on Monday directed all fixed and mobile phone operators to stick to their service licence obligations and not to provide cell phone service by fixed phone operators and vice versa.


The BTRC also directed to establish the customer's right to enjoy uninterrupted telecommunications services and congestion free traffic flow across the telecom networks.


It directed the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or the fixed phone and mobile phone operators to ensure interconnectivity among themselves as per clause 47 of Bangladesh Telecommunications Act 2001.


The operators shall sign the interconnectivity agreement bilaterally on urgent basis and, if already signed, must ensure sufficient interconnectivity for the public interest, a BTRC resolution said.


Another resolution said that the PSTN operators can never import, install and utilise such equipment that can offer mobile phone services. At the same time, the mobile operators also must not offer fixed telephony services, as they are licensed as mobile phone services.


In case of any deviation in this regard, the BTRC shall take necessary actions against the operators responsible as per the Bangladesh Telecommunications Act 2001.


To establish the customer rights, the telecom operators must ensure the availability of sufficient capacity within their networks so that there shall be no crisis in providing necessary interconnectivity upon request from any other operators, the resolution added.


Presided over by BTRC Chairman Omar Faruque, the meeting was also attended by Vice Chairman Reza E Rabbi, Commissioner Justice Muhammad Abdus Salam and representatives of all the telecom operators.

Sun Jun 25, 2006 3:58 pm