The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has revised the date for the planned 3G auction. The regulator now plans to hold the auction on 2 September instead of 31 July. Submissions to participate in the 3G auction are now due on 10 July, and qualified applicants will be announced on 18 July.
According to the Daily Star, the delay is due to unresolved disputes in the sector, and the telecom regulator needs more time to prepare. The regulator had earlier tried to appoint foreign consultants but scrapped the plan as it was not satisfied with the applications. Meanwhile, four operators — Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi and Citycell — still want a rebate of the 15 percent additional VAT on spectrum they paid during their 2G licence renewals.
