Bangladesh Telecommunications.

The communication sector of Bangladesh has changed dramatically within 2 years. The incentives both from government and public sectors have helped to grow this sector.It is now one of the biggest sector of Bangladesh. As a populous country, it’s huge market has attracted many foreign investors to invest in this sector
At the time of writing, a full set of Q409 results had not been published by all key mobile network operators in Bangladesh. The report estimates that 9.830mn new customers were added in total during 2009, down only slightly from the 10.017mn net additions reported in 2008. The lower growth rate was the result of the governments SIM taxation, but subsidisation of the SIM tax together with lower prices and network expansion are expected to see the mobile market grow at a faster pace in 2010 than in 2009. Both Grameenphone and Banglalink, the respective No1 and No2 operators, are raising funds to support their network expansion plans. Grameenphone has issued an initial public offering (IPO), said to have been three times over-subscribed, while Banglalink plans to acquire a US$60mn bond issue. The operators, together with third-ranked Axiata, make up around 90% of the market and are looking to outdo one another, despite penetration still only at 37%.

One reason for this is the threat of new competition. Vietnams Ministry of Defence-owned operator Viettel and Indias Bharti are said to be interested in acquiring the operations of the respective two smaller service providers, Teletalk and Warid Telecom. Teletalks lack of progress in developing its business stemmed from the governments reluctance to invest the funds necessary to grow the company aggressively to the point whereby it could provide a credible threat to players such as Grameenphone and Banglalink. Apparently, the government is now keen to divest the business while its assets still remain attractive to new or existing players. To sweeten the deal, it seems likely that Teletalk will be awarded a 3G licence (ahead of all other players, significantly), as well as a US$211mn loan at 2% interest from China to help expand its network in key areas of the country. Bharti, on the other hand, could be looking to acquire Warid Telecom for the purposes of acquiring a 3G licence in the country, while it would also boost the Indian operators plans to become a regional powerhouse.
It is not only the mobile sector that has attracted foreign interest. Japanese telecoms operator KDDI has revealed its plan to acquire a 50% stake in Bangladesh-based internet service provider (ISP) BRAC BD Mail Networks (bracNET) through a private placement of shares. The acquisition, expected to be complete by January 2010, will cost it a total of JPY800mn (US$8.85mn). bracNET was initially one of three operators to be awarded a WiMAX licence that was subsequently returned to the regulator after bracNET declined to pay its licence fee. The licence was then awarded to Mango Teleservices. WiMAX is still very much in the initial phase of development and has yet to make much of an impact in the broadband sector. Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh, which launched its WiMAX network in October 2009, was joined in November by BanglaLion Communications, which announced the launch of a pilot service of its new wireless broadband network, based on WiMAX technology. Based in Dhaka, BanglaLion plans to rapidly roll out its infrastructure to key population and business centres across Bangladesh. To do so, it will spend US$250mn in deploying 6,000 WiMAX base stations over a five-year period. Approximately 900 such base stations are being used within the pilot service.
The telecom sector in Bangladesh is rapidly emerging.
Calling Code: +880 – SubCodes

PSTN

The PSTN operators in Bangladesh are:

• BTCLFormer BTTB
• Peoples Telecommunication and Information Services Ltd.
• Ranks Telecom Ltd.
• Tele Barta Ltd.- branded under the nameJubok phone.
• Jalalabad Telecom Ltd. – branded under the name Bijoy Phone.
• Onetel Communication Ltd.
• National Telecom Ltd.
• Westec Ltd.
• Dhaka Telephone Co. Ltd.
• Integrated Services Limited (ISL)- branded under the name Sheba Phone
• S.A Telecom System Ltd.
• Banglaphone Ltd.

The number of PSTN subscribers in Bangladesh as of February 2009 was 1.372 million

Mobile phone

There are 6 mobile phone operators in Bangladesh. These are:
1.Grameenphone Ltd.(GP)
2.Axiata Bangladesh Ltd(Aktel)
3.Sheba Telecom Ltd.(Banglalink)
4.PBTL(Citycell)
5.Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd.(Teletalk)
6.Warid Telecom Int.(Warid Telecom (Bangladesh)
The number of mobile phone subscribers in Bangladesh as of February 2009 was 45.21 million.^[2]

Long Distance Operator (as per ILDTS Policy 2007)

6 licneses were issued by BTRC in 3 categories (IGW, ICX & IIG) through an open auction in February 2008. The incumbent BTTB got the same licenses too. Here is the list of all operators:

International Gateway (IGW) Operators

1. Bangla Trac Communications Limited (www.banglatraccommunications.com)
2. Mir Telecom (mirtelecom-bd.com)
3. Novotel Limited
4. BTCL
Interconnection Exchange (ICX) operators
1. Getco Telcom
2. M&H
3. BTCL

International Internet Gateway (IIG) Operator

1. Mango Teleservices Limited (www.mango.com.bd)
2. BTCL
3.Aamra network Ltd.

Bangladesh Telecommunications.

The communication sector of Bangladesh has changed dramatically within 2 years. The incentives both from government and public sectors have helped to grow this sector.It is now one of the biggest sector of Bangladesh. As a populous country, it’s huge market has attracted many foreign investors to invest in this sector
At the time of writing, a full set of Q409 results had not been published by all key mobile network operators in Bangladesh. The report estimates that 9.830mn new customers were added in total during 2009, down only slightly from the 10.017mn net additions reported in 2008. The lower growth rate was the result of the governments SIM taxation, but subsidisation of the SIM tax together with lower prices and network expansion are expected to see the mobile market grow at a faster pace in 2010 than in 2009. Both Grameenphone and Banglalink, the respective No1 and No2 operators, are raising funds to support their network expansion plans. Grameenphone has issued an initial public offering (IPO), said to have been three times over-subscribed, while Banglalink plans to acquire a US$60mn bond issue. The operators, together with third-ranked Axiata, make up around 90% of the market and are looking to outdo one another, despite penetration still only at 37%.

One reason for this is the threat of new competition. Vietnams Ministry of Defence-owned operator Viettel and Indias Bharti are said to be interested in acquiring the operations of the respective two smaller service providers, Teletalk and Warid Telecom. Teletalks lack of progress in developing its business stemmed from the governments reluctance to invest the funds necessary to grow the company aggressively to the point whereby it could provide a credible threat to players such as Grameenphone and Banglalink. Apparently, the government is now keen to divest the business while its assets still remain attractive to new or existing players. To sweeten the deal, it seems likely that Teletalk will be awarded a 3G licence (ahead of all other players, significantly), as well as a US$211mn loan at 2% interest from China to help expand its network in key areas of the country. Bharti, on the other hand, could be looking to acquire Warid Telecom for the purposes of acquiring a 3G licence in the country, while it would also boost the Indian operators plans to become a regional powerhouse.
It is not only the mobile sector that has attracted foreign interest. Japanese telecoms operator KDDI has revealed its plan to acquire a 50% stake in Bangladesh-based internet service provider (ISP) BRAC BD Mail Networks (bracNET) through a private placement of shares. The acquisition, expected to be complete by January 2010, will cost it a total of JPY800mn (US$8.85mn). bracNET was initially one of three operators to be awarded a WiMAX licence that was subsequently returned to the regulator after bracNET declined to pay its licence fee. The licence was then awarded to Mango Teleservices. WiMAX is still very much in the initial phase of development and has yet to make much of an impact in the broadband sector. Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh, which launched its WiMAX network in October 2009, was joined in November by BanglaLion Communications, which announced the launch of a pilot service of its new wireless broadband network, based on WiMAX technology. Based in Dhaka, BanglaLion plans to rapidly roll out its infrastructure to key population and business centres across Bangladesh. To do so, it will spend US$250mn in deploying 6,000 WiMAX base stations over a five-year period. Approximately 900 such base stations are being used within the pilot service.
The telecom sector in Bangladesh is rapidly emerging.
Calling Code: +880 – SubCodes

PSTN

The PSTN operators in Bangladesh are:

• BTCLFormer BTTB
• Peoples Telecommunication and Information Services Ltd.
• Ranks Telecom Ltd.
• Tele Barta Ltd.- branded under the nameJubok phone.
• Jalalabad Telecom Ltd. – branded under the name Bijoy Phone.
• Onetel Communication Ltd.
• National Telecom Ltd.
• Westec Ltd.
• Dhaka Telephone Co. Ltd.
• Integrated Services Limited (ISL)- branded under the name Sheba Phone
• S.A Telecom System Ltd.
• Banglaphone Ltd.

The number of PSTN subscribers in Bangladesh as of February 2009 was 1.372 million

Mobile phone

There are 6 mobile phone operators in Bangladesh. These are:
1.Grameenphone Ltd.(GP)
2.Axiata Bangladesh Ltd(Aktel)
3.Sheba Telecom Ltd.(Banglalink)
4.PBTL(Citycell)
5.Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd.(Teletalk)
6.Warid Telecom Int.(Warid Telecom (Bangladesh)
The number of mobile phone subscribers in Bangladesh as of February 2009 was 45.21 million.^[2]

Long Distance Operator (as per ILDTS Policy 2007)

6 licneses were issued by BTRC in 3 categories (IGW, ICX & IIG) through an open auction in February 2008. The incumbent BTTB got the same licenses too. Here is the list of all operators:

International Gateway (IGW) Operators

1. Bangla Trac Communications Limited (www.banglatraccommunications.com)
2. Mir Telecom (mirtelecom-bd.com)
3. Novotel Limited
4. BTCL
Interconnection Exchange (ICX) operators
1. Getco Telcom
2. M&H
3. BTCL

International Internet Gateway (IIG) Operator

1. Mango Teleservices Limited (www.mango.com.bd)
2. BTCL
3.Aamra network Ltd.

Bangladesh Telecommunications.

The communication sector of Bangladesh has changed dramatically within 2 years. The incentives both from government and public sectors have helped to grow this sector.It is now one of the biggest sector of Bangladesh. As a populous country, it’s huge market has attracted many foreign investors to invest in this sector
At the time of writing, a full set of Q409 results had not been published by all key mobile network operators in Bangladesh. The report estimates that 9.830mn new customers were added in total during 2009, down only slightly from the 10.017mn net additions reported in 2008. The lower growth rate was the result of the governments SIM taxation, but subsidisation of the SIM tax together with lower prices and network expansion are expected to see the mobile market grow at a faster pace in 2010 than in 2009. Both Grameenphone and Banglalink, the respective No1 and No2 operators, are raising funds to support their network expansion plans. Grameenphone has issued an initial public offering (IPO), said to have been three times over-subscribed, while Banglalink plans to acquire a US$60mn bond issue. The operators, together with third-ranked Axiata, make up around 90% of the market and are looking to outdo one another, despite penetration still only at 37%.

One reason for this is the threat of new competition. Vietnams Ministry of Defence-owned operator Viettel and Indias Bharti are said to be interested in acquiring the operations of the respective two smaller service providers, Teletalk and Warid Telecom. Teletalks lack of progress in developing its business stemmed from the governments reluctance to invest the funds necessary to grow the company aggressively to the point whereby it could provide a credible threat to players such as Grameenphone and Banglalink. Apparently, the government is now keen to divest the business while its assets still remain attractive to new or existing players. To sweeten the deal, it seems likely that Teletalk will be awarded a 3G licence (ahead of all other players, significantly), as well as a US$211mn loan at 2% interest from China to help expand its network in key areas of the country. Bharti, on the other hand, could be looking to acquire Warid Telecom for the purposes of acquiring a 3G licence in the country, while it would also boost the Indian operators plans to become a regional powerhouse.
It is not only the mobile sector that has attracted foreign interest. Japanese telecoms operator KDDI has revealed its plan to acquire a 50% stake in Bangladesh-based internet service provider (ISP) BRAC BD Mail Networks (bracNET) through a private placement of shares. The acquisition, expected to be complete by January 2010, will cost it a total of JPY800mn (US$8.85mn). bracNET was initially one of three operators to be awarded a WiMAX licence that was subsequently returned to the regulator after bracNET declined to pay its licence fee. The licence was then awarded to Mango Teleservices. WiMAX is still very much in the initial phase of development and has yet to make much of an impact in the broadband sector. Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh, which launched its WiMAX network in October 2009, was joined in November by BanglaLion Communications, which announced the launch of a pilot service of its new wireless broadband network, based on WiMAX technology. Based in Dhaka, BanglaLion plans to rapidly roll out its infrastructure to key population and business centres across Bangladesh. To do so, it will spend US$250mn in deploying 6,000 WiMAX base stations over a five-year period. Approximately 900 such base stations are being used within the pilot service.
The telecom sector in Bangladesh is rapidly emerging.
Calling Code: +880 – SubCodes

PSTN

The PSTN operators in Bangladesh are:

• BTCLFormer BTTB
• Peoples Telecommunication and Information Services Ltd.
• Ranks Telecom Ltd.
• Tele Barta Ltd.- branded under the nameJubok phone.
• Jalalabad Telecom Ltd. – branded under the name Bijoy Phone.
• Onetel Communication Ltd.
• National Telecom Ltd.
• Westec Ltd.
• Dhaka Telephone Co. Ltd.
• Integrated Services Limited (ISL)- branded under the name Sheba Phone
• S.A Telecom System Ltd.
• Banglaphone Ltd.

The number of PSTN subscribers in Bangladesh as of February 2009 was 1.372 million

Mobile phone

There are 6 mobile phone operators in Bangladesh. These are:
1.Grameenphone Ltd.(GP)
2.Axiata Bangladesh Ltd(Aktel)
3.Sheba Telecom Ltd.(Banglalink)
4.PBTL(Citycell)
5.Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd.(Teletalk)
6.Warid Telecom Int.(Warid Telecom (Bangladesh)
The number of mobile phone subscribers in Bangladesh as of February 2009 was 45.21 million.^[2]

Long Distance Operator (as per ILDTS Policy 2007)

6 licneses were issued by BTRC in 3 categories (IGW, ICX & IIG) through an open auction in February 2008. The incumbent BTTB got the same licenses too. Here is the list of all operators:

International Gateway (IGW) Operators

1. Bangla Trac Communications Limited (www.banglatraccommunications.com)
2. Mir Telecom (mirtelecom-bd.com)
3. Novotel Limited
4. BTCL
Interconnection Exchange (ICX) operators
1. Getco Telcom
2. M&H
3. BTCL

International Internet Gateway (IIG) Operator

1. Mango Teleservices Limited (www.mango.com.bd)
2. BTCL
3.Aamra network Ltd.

Bangladesh Telecommunications.

The communication sector of Bangladesh has changed dramatically within 2 years. The incentives both from government and public sectors have helped to grow this sector.It is now one of the biggest sector of Bangladesh. As a populous country, it’s huge market has attracted many foreign investors to invest in this sector
At the time of writing, a full set of Q409 results had not been published by all key mobile network operators in Bangladesh. The report estimates that 9.830mn new customers were added in total during 2009, down only slightly from the 10.017mn net additions reported in 2008. The lower growth rate was the result of the governments SIM taxation, but subsidisation of the SIM tax together with lower prices and network expansion are expected to see the mobile market grow at a faster pace in 2010 than in 2009. Both Grameenphone and Banglalink, the respective No1 and No2 operators, are raising funds to support their network expansion plans. Grameenphone has issued an initial public offering (IPO), said to have been three times over-subscribed, while Banglalink plans to acquire a US$60mn bond issue. The operators, together with third-ranked Axiata, make up around 90% of the market and are looking to outdo one another, despite penetration still only at 37%.

One reason for this is the threat of new competition. Vietnams Ministry of Defence-owned operator Viettel and Indias Bharti are said to be interested in acquiring the operations of the respective two smaller service providers, Teletalk and Warid Telecom. Teletalks lack of progress in developing its business stemmed from the governments reluctance to invest the funds necessary to grow the company aggressively to the point whereby it could provide a credible threat to players such as Grameenphone and Banglalink. Apparently, the government is now keen to divest the business while its assets still remain attractive to new or existing players. To sweeten the deal, it seems likely that Teletalk will be awarded a 3G licence (ahead of all other players, significantly), as well as a US$211mn loan at 2% interest from China to help expand its network in key areas of the country. Bharti, on the other hand, could be looking to acquire Warid Telecom for the purposes of acquiring a 3G licence in the country, while it would also boost the Indian operators plans to become a regional powerhouse.
It is not only the mobile sector that has attracted foreign interest. Japanese telecoms operator KDDI has revealed its plan to acquire a 50% stake in Bangladesh-based internet service provider (ISP) BRAC BD Mail Networks (bracNET) through a private placement of shares. The acquisition, expected to be complete by January 2010, will cost it a total of JPY800mn (US$8.85mn). bracNET was initially one of three operators to be awarded a WiMAX licence that was subsequently returned to the regulator after bracNET declined to pay its licence fee. The licence was then awarded to Mango Teleservices. WiMAX is still very much in the initial phase of development and has yet to make much of an impact in the broadband sector. Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh, which launched its WiMAX network in October 2009, was joined in November by BanglaLion Communications, which announced the launch of a pilot service of its new wireless broadband network, based on WiMAX technology. Based in Dhaka, BanglaLion plans to rapidly roll out its infrastructure to key population and business centres across Bangladesh. To do so, it will spend US$250mn in deploying 6,000 WiMAX base stations over a five-year period. Approximately 900 such base stations are being used within the pilot service.
The telecom sector in Bangladesh is rapidly emerging.
Calling Code: +880 – SubCodes

PSTN

The PSTN operators in Bangladesh are:

• BTCLFormer BTTB
• Peoples Telecommunication and Information Services Ltd.
• Ranks Telecom Ltd.
• Tele Barta Ltd.- branded under the nameJubok phone.
• Jalalabad Telecom Ltd. – branded under the name Bijoy Phone.
• Onetel Communication Ltd.
• National Telecom Ltd.
• Westec Ltd.
• Dhaka Telephone Co. Ltd.
• Integrated Services Limited (ISL)- branded under the name Sheba Phone
• S.A Telecom System Ltd.
• Banglaphone Ltd.

The number of PSTN subscribers in Bangladesh as of February 2009 was 1.372 million

Mobile phone

There are 6 mobile phone operators in Bangladesh. These are:
1.Grameenphone Ltd.(GP)
2.Axiata Bangladesh Ltd(Aktel)
3.Sheba Telecom Ltd.(Banglalink)
4.PBTL(Citycell)
5.Teletalk Bangladesh Ltd.(Teletalk)
6.Warid Telecom Int.(Warid Telecom (Bangladesh)
The number of mobile phone subscribers in Bangladesh as of February 2009 was 45.21 million.^[2]

Long Distance Operator (as per ILDTS Policy 2007)

6 licneses were issued by BTRC in 3 categories (IGW, ICX & IIG) through an open auction in February 2008. The incumbent BTTB got the same licenses too. Here is the list of all operators:

International Gateway (IGW) Operators

1. Bangla Trac Communications Limited (www.banglatraccommunications.com)
2. Mir Telecom (mirtelecom-bd.com)
3. Novotel Limited
4. BTCL
Interconnection Exchange (ICX) operators
1. Getco Telcom
2. M&H
3. BTCL

International Internet Gateway (IIG) Operator

1. Mango Teleservices Limited (www.mango.com.bd)
2. BTCL
3.Aamra network Ltd.

Bangladesh has suspended operations of three private phone operators

Bangladesh shuts three phone operators for illegal telephony ,in less than a week for allegedly running unlicenced phone services, a spokesman of the telecom regulatory body said on Friday.
The Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission closed the offices of Ranks Telecom Ltd, or RanksTel, a private firm licensed in 2004 as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), as the government was convinced that the operator runs an illegal business using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), for which it is not licenced.
“We have shut down all activities of RanksTel since Friday morning after we found a huge quantity of VoIP equipment at the company’s office,” BTRC chairman Zia Ahmed said, adding that three employees had also been detained.
On Wednesday, authorities discovered evidence of illegal VoIP operations at the offices of WorldTel Bangladesh Ltd, which has been running PSTN operations since 2000. The phone operator was also switched off, the BRTC chairman said.
Five top officials of Dhaka Phone, another PSTN operator, were arrested Monday on a similar charge. The company’s operations were suspended.
There are nine private operators running PSTN services across Bangladesh beside the state-run Bangladesh Telecom Ltd, providing service to some 1.6 million subscribers.
RANKSTEL’S STATEMENT
RanksTel termed shutting down of its switch room totally illegal.
“The BTRC investigation team and law enforcers did not find any VoIP equipment, yet they sealed our switch room, which is only preventing the development of the local telecom industry,” said the RanksTel statement signed by Director Aman Ullah Chowdhury.
Shutting down RanksTel’s network will cause sufferings to its customers and destroy its image. “We want a neutral investigation into the matter and demand that the regulator opens the switch room immediately,” the statement said.
Operations of the telecom company at 22 call centres, UNDP, City Bank, American Express Bank, Standard Chartered Bank offices here also got closed.

Bangladesh has suspended operations of three private phone operators

Bangladesh shuts three phone operators for illegal telephony ,in less than a week for allegedly running unlicenced phone services, a spokesman of the telecom regulatory body said on Friday.
The Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission closed the offices of Ranks Telecom Ltd, or RanksTel, a private firm licensed in 2004 as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), as the government was convinced that the operator runs an illegal business using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), for which it is not licenced.
“We have shut down all activities of RanksTel since Friday morning after we found a huge quantity of VoIP equipment at the company’s office,” BTRC chairman Zia Ahmed said, adding that three employees had also been detained.
On Wednesday, authorities discovered evidence of illegal VoIP operations at the offices of WorldTel Bangladesh Ltd, which has been running PSTN operations since 2000. The phone operator was also switched off, the BRTC chairman said.
Five top officials of Dhaka Phone, another PSTN operator, were arrested Monday on a similar charge. The company’s operations were suspended.
There are nine private operators running PSTN services across Bangladesh beside the state-run Bangladesh Telecom Ltd, providing service to some 1.6 million subscribers.
RANKSTEL’S STATEMENT
RanksTel termed shutting down of its switch room totally illegal.
“The BTRC investigation team and law enforcers did not find any VoIP equipment, yet they sealed our switch room, which is only preventing the development of the local telecom industry,” said the RanksTel statement signed by Director Aman Ullah Chowdhury.
Shutting down RanksTel’s network will cause sufferings to its customers and destroy its image. “We want a neutral investigation into the matter and demand that the regulator opens the switch room immediately,” the statement said.
Operations of the telecom company at 22 call centres, UNDP, City Bank, American Express Bank, Standard Chartered Bank offices here also got closed.

Bangladesh has suspended operations of three private phone operators

Bangladesh shuts three phone operators for illegal telephony ,in less than a week for allegedly running unlicenced phone services, a spokesman of the telecom regulatory body said on Friday.
The Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission closed the offices of Ranks Telecom Ltd, or RanksTel, a private firm licensed in 2004 as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), as the government was convinced that the operator runs an illegal business using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), for which it is not licenced.
“We have shut down all activities of RanksTel since Friday morning after we found a huge quantity of VoIP equipment at the company’s office,” BTRC chairman Zia Ahmed said, adding that three employees had also been detained.
On Wednesday, authorities discovered evidence of illegal VoIP operations at the offices of WorldTel Bangladesh Ltd, which has been running PSTN operations since 2000. The phone operator was also switched off, the BRTC chairman said.
Five top officials of Dhaka Phone, another PSTN operator, were arrested Monday on a similar charge. The company’s operations were suspended.
There are nine private operators running PSTN services across Bangladesh beside the state-run Bangladesh Telecom Ltd, providing service to some 1.6 million subscribers.
RANKSTEL’S STATEMENT
RanksTel termed shutting down of its switch room totally illegal.
“The BTRC investigation team and law enforcers did not find any VoIP equipment, yet they sealed our switch room, which is only preventing the development of the local telecom industry,” said the RanksTel statement signed by Director Aman Ullah Chowdhury.
Shutting down RanksTel’s network will cause sufferings to its customers and destroy its image. “We want a neutral investigation into the matter and demand that the regulator opens the switch room immediately,” the statement said.
Operations of the telecom company at 22 call centres, UNDP, City Bank, American Express Bank, Standard Chartered Bank offices here also got closed.

Bangladesh has suspended operations of three private phone operators

Bangladesh shuts three phone operators for illegal telephony ,in less than a week for allegedly running unlicenced phone services, a spokesman of the telecom regulatory body said on Friday.
The Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission closed the offices of Ranks Telecom Ltd, or RanksTel, a private firm licensed in 2004 as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), as the government was convinced that the operator runs an illegal business using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), for which it is not licenced.
“We have shut down all activities of RanksTel since Friday morning after we found a huge quantity of VoIP equipment at the company’s office,” BTRC chairman Zia Ahmed said, adding that three employees had also been detained.
On Wednesday, authorities discovered evidence of illegal VoIP operations at the offices of WorldTel Bangladesh Ltd, which has been running PSTN operations since 2000. The phone operator was also switched off, the BRTC chairman said.
Five top officials of Dhaka Phone, another PSTN operator, were arrested Monday on a similar charge. The company’s operations were suspended.
There are nine private operators running PSTN services across Bangladesh beside the state-run Bangladesh Telecom Ltd, providing service to some 1.6 million subscribers.
RANKSTEL’S STATEMENT
RanksTel termed shutting down of its switch room totally illegal.
“The BTRC investigation team and law enforcers did not find any VoIP equipment, yet they sealed our switch room, which is only preventing the development of the local telecom industry,” said the RanksTel statement signed by Director Aman Ullah Chowdhury.
Shutting down RanksTel’s network will cause sufferings to its customers and destroy its image. “We want a neutral investigation into the matter and demand that the regulator opens the switch room immediately,” the statement said.
Operations of the telecom company at 22 call centres, UNDP, City Bank, American Express Bank, Standard Chartered Bank offices here also got closed.

Orascom in record issue ($102m) biggest corporate bond deal- Bangladesh

A mobile phone operator raised $102m through Bangladesh’s biggest corporate bond deal, in another sign that the country’s capital markets are flickering back into life.
Orascom Telecom Bangladesh, a subsidiary of Egypt’s Orascom Telecom, smashed the previous record just four months after Grameenphone, its larger rival, sold shares for $71m in the country’s largest initial public offering.
The two deals, while small in global terms, are an indication that investors are becoming more confident in Bangladesh, a country identified by Goldman Sachs as one of the N-11 (“Next Eleven”) markets to watch in the 21st century.
“Investor confidence is coming back,” said Shams Zaman, of Citi Bangladesh, which arranged the deal. “The Orascom bond shows that it’s possible to raise sizable amounts of financing from the local market.”
Other local companies are likely to sell bonds in the coming year, he added, from sectors including telecommunications, finance and pharmaceuticals.
Competition is heating up in Bangladesh’s telecoms sector – in January, Bharti Airtel, the Indian telecoms group, bought 70 per cent of Bangladesh’s Warid Telecom for an initial investment of $300m.
That followed a high-profile IPO by Grameenphone, Bangladesh’s biggest telecoms company, which raised $71m from local retail investors and a further $70m from selling shares to the country’s institutions.
Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus
Grameenphone is a joint venture between Norway’s Telenor and local microfinancier Grameen Bank, launched by Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus.
Orascom Telecom Bangladesh, which trades under the name Banglalink, plans to use the proceeds of its bond sale to invest in network equipment and expand in rural Bangladesh.
The amortising senior secured bonds are denominated in the Bangladeshi taka. They have a 13.5 per cent coupon rate payable every six months and are due in 2014.
The size of the offering was increased from Tk4.25bn ($62m) to Tk7.1bn due to “huge interest” from investors such as mutual funds, insurance companies and commercial banks, Mr Zaman said.
About Orascom

Orascom Telecom Holding S.A.E. (“Orascom Telecom” or “OTH”) was established in 1998 and has grown to become a major player in the global telecommunications market. OTH is considered among the largest and most diversified network operators in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Orascom Telecom is a leading mobile telecommunications company operating in eleven emerging markets having a population under license of 498 million with an average mobile telephony penetration of approximately 46% as of December 31st, 2008. Orascom Telecom operates GSM networks in Algeria (“OTA”), Pakistan (“Mobilink”), Egypt (“Mobinil”), Tunisia (“Tunisiana”), Bangladesh (“Banglalink”), and North Korea (“Koryolink”). OTH has an indirect equity ownership in Globalive Wireless which has been granted a spectrum license in Canada. OTH was also awarded the management contract of one of the two Lebanese mobile telecommunications operators (“Alfa”) from the government of the Republic of Lebanon. Through its subsidiary Telecel Globe, OTH also operates in Burundi, the Central African Republic, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Orascom Telecom had over 88 million subscribers as of September, 2009.
OTH’s first operation was the Egyptian Company for Mobile Services commonly known as (“Mobinil”). Mobinil is a market leader serving over 24.2 million subscribers representing a market share of 43.6% (as of September 2009). Mobinil is one of Egypt’s five largest companies on Cairo & Alexandria Stock Exchange (“CASE”) in terms of market capitalization.
OTH witnessed success as Orascom Telecom Algeria SPA (“Djezzy”) was launched in February 2002. It grew to become the market leader in terms of both subscriber numbers as well as the quality of telecommunications services provided. Djezzy serves over 14.7 million subscribers on its network and has a 62.9% market share (as of September 2009).
Orascom Telecom Tunisie (“Tunisiana”) launched its services in December 2002, and serves over 4.8 million subscribers on its network with a growing market share of 53% (as of September 2009).
In Pakistan, the Pakistan Mobile communications Ltd (“Mobilink”) started its operations in 1994. In April 2001, OTH took over management control of the company. As the market leader, Mobilink serves over 30 million subscribers, representing a market share of 30.9% (as of September 2009).
In September 2004, OTH purchased 100% of Sheba Telecom (Pvt.) Limited in Bangladesh. OTH re-branded and launched its services as “Banglalink” in February 2005. Immediately after the launch, OTH started its aggressive plans to develop Banglalink into a leader in the mobile sector by rapidly expanding its GSM network to provide high quality communications services at affordable prices. Banglalink serves over 12.1 million subscribers with 24.2% market share (as of September 2009).
In the beginning of 2009 OTH has been awarded the management contract of Alfa, one of two Lebanese mobile telecommunications operator, owned by the Republic of Lebanon. The management contract extends for one year and is renewable for another year. Under this contract, OTH is required to increase the number of subscribers of Alfa from around 600 thousand at the end of 2008 to around 1 million at the end of 2009.
Koryolink is the first 3G mobile network to operate in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“DPRK”) and is established as a joint venture between OTH (75%) and Korea Posts and Telecomm Corp. (KPTC) (25%). OTH was awarded the license to establish a 3G mobile network in DPRK in January 2008. Koryolink will deliver world-class voice and data communication services to the people of the DPRK.
OTH established a strong presence in the GSM Association (the world’s leading wireless industry representative body) only five years after its inception. OTH’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. Naguib Sawiris, was selected to join the GSM Association’s CEO Board in 2002. OTH is traded on the Cairo & Alexandria Stock Exchange under the symbol (ORTE.CA, ORAT EY), and on the London Stock Exchange its GDR is traded under the symbol (ORTEq.L, OTLD LI).

Orascom in record issue ($102m) biggest corporate bond deal- Bangladesh

A mobile phone operator raised $102m through Bangladesh’s biggest corporate bond deal, in another sign that the country’s capital markets are flickering back into life.
Orascom Telecom Bangladesh, a subsidiary of Egypt’s Orascom Telecom, smashed the previous record just four months after Grameenphone, its larger rival, sold shares for $71m in the country’s largest initial public offering.
The two deals, while small in global terms, are an indication that investors are becoming more confident in Bangladesh, a country identified by Goldman Sachs as one of the N-11 (“Next Eleven”) markets to watch in the 21st century.
“Investor confidence is coming back,” said Shams Zaman, of Citi Bangladesh, which arranged the deal. “The Orascom bond shows that it’s possible to raise sizable amounts of financing from the local market.”
Other local companies are likely to sell bonds in the coming year, he added, from sectors including telecommunications, finance and pharmaceuticals.
Competition is heating up in Bangladesh’s telecoms sector – in January, Bharti Airtel, the Indian telecoms group, bought 70 per cent of Bangladesh’s Warid Telecom for an initial investment of $300m.
That followed a high-profile IPO by Grameenphone, Bangladesh’s biggest telecoms company, which raised $71m from local retail investors and a further $70m from selling shares to the country’s institutions.
Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus
Grameenphone is a joint venture between Norway’s Telenor and local microfinancier Grameen Bank, launched by Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus.
Orascom Telecom Bangladesh, which trades under the name Banglalink, plans to use the proceeds of its bond sale to invest in network equipment and expand in rural Bangladesh.
The amortising senior secured bonds are denominated in the Bangladeshi taka. They have a 13.5 per cent coupon rate payable every six months and are due in 2014.
The size of the offering was increased from Tk4.25bn ($62m) to Tk7.1bn due to “huge interest” from investors such as mutual funds, insurance companies and commercial banks, Mr Zaman said.
About Orascom

Orascom Telecom Holding S.A.E. (“Orascom Telecom” or “OTH”) was established in 1998 and has grown to become a major player in the global telecommunications market. OTH is considered among the largest and most diversified network operators in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Orascom Telecom is a leading mobile telecommunications company operating in eleven emerging markets having a population under license of 498 million with an average mobile telephony penetration of approximately 46% as of December 31st, 2008. Orascom Telecom operates GSM networks in Algeria (“OTA”), Pakistan (“Mobilink”), Egypt (“Mobinil”), Tunisia (“Tunisiana”), Bangladesh (“Banglalink”), and North Korea (“Koryolink”). OTH has an indirect equity ownership in Globalive Wireless which has been granted a spectrum license in Canada. OTH was also awarded the management contract of one of the two Lebanese mobile telecommunications operators (“Alfa”) from the government of the Republic of Lebanon. Through its subsidiary Telecel Globe, OTH also operates in Burundi, the Central African Republic, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Orascom Telecom had over 88 million subscribers as of September, 2009.
OTH’s first operation was the Egyptian Company for Mobile Services commonly known as (“Mobinil”). Mobinil is a market leader serving over 24.2 million subscribers representing a market share of 43.6% (as of September 2009). Mobinil is one of Egypt’s five largest companies on Cairo & Alexandria Stock Exchange (“CASE”) in terms of market capitalization.
OTH witnessed success as Orascom Telecom Algeria SPA (“Djezzy”) was launched in February 2002. It grew to become the market leader in terms of both subscriber numbers as well as the quality of telecommunications services provided. Djezzy serves over 14.7 million subscribers on its network and has a 62.9% market share (as of September 2009).
Orascom Telecom Tunisie (“Tunisiana”) launched its services in December 2002, and serves over 4.8 million subscribers on its network with a growing market share of 53% (as of September 2009).
In Pakistan, the Pakistan Mobile communications Ltd (“Mobilink”) started its operations in 1994. In April 2001, OTH took over management control of the company. As the market leader, Mobilink serves over 30 million subscribers, representing a market share of 30.9% (as of September 2009).
In September 2004, OTH purchased 100% of Sheba Telecom (Pvt.) Limited in Bangladesh. OTH re-branded and launched its services as “Banglalink” in February 2005. Immediately after the launch, OTH started its aggressive plans to develop Banglalink into a leader in the mobile sector by rapidly expanding its GSM network to provide high quality communications services at affordable prices. Banglalink serves over 12.1 million subscribers with 24.2% market share (as of September 2009).
In the beginning of 2009 OTH has been awarded the management contract of Alfa, one of two Lebanese mobile telecommunications operator, owned by the Republic of Lebanon. The management contract extends for one year and is renewable for another year. Under this contract, OTH is required to increase the number of subscribers of Alfa from around 600 thousand at the end of 2008 to around 1 million at the end of 2009.
Koryolink is the first 3G mobile network to operate in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“DPRK”) and is established as a joint venture between OTH (75%) and Korea Posts and Telecomm Corp. (KPTC) (25%). OTH was awarded the license to establish a 3G mobile network in DPRK in January 2008. Koryolink will deliver world-class voice and data communication services to the people of the DPRK.
OTH established a strong presence in the GSM Association (the world’s leading wireless industry representative body) only five years after its inception. OTH’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. Naguib Sawiris, was selected to join the GSM Association’s CEO Board in 2002. OTH is traded on the Cairo & Alexandria Stock Exchange under the symbol (ORTE.CA, ORAT EY), and on the London Stock Exchange its GDR is traded under the symbol (ORTEq.L, OTLD LI).

Orascom in record issue ($102m) biggest corporate bond deal- Bangladesh

A mobile phone operator raised $102m through Bangladesh’s biggest corporate bond deal, in another sign that the country’s capital markets are flickering back into life.
Orascom Telecom Bangladesh, a subsidiary of Egypt’s Orascom Telecom, smashed the previous record just four months after Grameenphone, its larger rival, sold shares for $71m in the country’s largest initial public offering.
The two deals, while small in global terms, are an indication that investors are becoming more confident in Bangladesh, a country identified by Goldman Sachs as one of the N-11 (“Next Eleven”) markets to watch in the 21st century.
“Investor confidence is coming back,” said Shams Zaman, of Citi Bangladesh, which arranged the deal. “The Orascom bond shows that it’s possible to raise sizable amounts of financing from the local market.”
Other local companies are likely to sell bonds in the coming year, he added, from sectors including telecommunications, finance and pharmaceuticals.
Competition is heating up in Bangladesh’s telecoms sector – in January, Bharti Airtel, the Indian telecoms group, bought 70 per cent of Bangladesh’s Warid Telecom for an initial investment of $300m.
That followed a high-profile IPO by Grameenphone, Bangladesh’s biggest telecoms company, which raised $71m from local retail investors and a further $70m from selling shares to the country’s institutions.
Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus
Grameenphone is a joint venture between Norway’s Telenor and local microfinancier Grameen Bank, launched by Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus.
Orascom Telecom Bangladesh, which trades under the name Banglalink, plans to use the proceeds of its bond sale to invest in network equipment and expand in rural Bangladesh.
The amortising senior secured bonds are denominated in the Bangladeshi taka. They have a 13.5 per cent coupon rate payable every six months and are due in 2014.
The size of the offering was increased from Tk4.25bn ($62m) to Tk7.1bn due to “huge interest” from investors such as mutual funds, insurance companies and commercial banks, Mr Zaman said.
About Orascom

Orascom Telecom Holding S.A.E. (“Orascom Telecom” or “OTH”) was established in 1998 and has grown to become a major player in the global telecommunications market. OTH is considered among the largest and most diversified network operators in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Orascom Telecom is a leading mobile telecommunications company operating in eleven emerging markets having a population under license of 498 million with an average mobile telephony penetration of approximately 46% as of December 31st, 2008. Orascom Telecom operates GSM networks in Algeria (“OTA”), Pakistan (“Mobilink”), Egypt (“Mobinil”), Tunisia (“Tunisiana”), Bangladesh (“Banglalink”), and North Korea (“Koryolink”). OTH has an indirect equity ownership in Globalive Wireless which has been granted a spectrum license in Canada. OTH was also awarded the management contract of one of the two Lebanese mobile telecommunications operators (“Alfa”) from the government of the Republic of Lebanon. Through its subsidiary Telecel Globe, OTH also operates in Burundi, the Central African Republic, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Orascom Telecom had over 88 million subscribers as of September, 2009.
OTH’s first operation was the Egyptian Company for Mobile Services commonly known as (“Mobinil”). Mobinil is a market leader serving over 24.2 million subscribers representing a market share of 43.6% (as of September 2009). Mobinil is one of Egypt’s five largest companies on Cairo & Alexandria Stock Exchange (“CASE”) in terms of market capitalization.
OTH witnessed success as Orascom Telecom Algeria SPA (“Djezzy”) was launched in February 2002. It grew to become the market leader in terms of both subscriber numbers as well as the quality of telecommunications services provided. Djezzy serves over 14.7 million subscribers on its network and has a 62.9% market share (as of September 2009).
Orascom Telecom Tunisie (“Tunisiana”) launched its services in December 2002, and serves over 4.8 million subscribers on its network with a growing market share of 53% (as of September 2009).
In Pakistan, the Pakistan Mobile communications Ltd (“Mobilink”) started its operations in 1994. In April 2001, OTH took over management control of the company. As the market leader, Mobilink serves over 30 million subscribers, representing a market share of 30.9% (as of September 2009).
In September 2004, OTH purchased 100% of Sheba Telecom (Pvt.) Limited in Bangladesh. OTH re-branded and launched its services as “Banglalink” in February 2005. Immediately after the launch, OTH started its aggressive plans to develop Banglalink into a leader in the mobile sector by rapidly expanding its GSM network to provide high quality communications services at affordable prices. Banglalink serves over 12.1 million subscribers with 24.2% market share (as of September 2009).
In the beginning of 2009 OTH has been awarded the management contract of Alfa, one of two Lebanese mobile telecommunications operator, owned by the Republic of Lebanon. The management contract extends for one year and is renewable for another year. Under this contract, OTH is required to increase the number of subscribers of Alfa from around 600 thousand at the end of 2008 to around 1 million at the end of 2009.
Koryolink is the first 3G mobile network to operate in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“DPRK”) and is established as a joint venture between OTH (75%) and Korea Posts and Telecomm Corp. (KPTC) (25%). OTH was awarded the license to establish a 3G mobile network in DPRK in January 2008. Koryolink will deliver world-class voice and data communication services to the people of the DPRK.
OTH established a strong presence in the GSM Association (the world’s leading wireless industry representative body) only five years after its inception. OTH’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. Naguib Sawiris, was selected to join the GSM Association’s CEO Board in 2002. OTH is traded on the Cairo & Alexandria Stock Exchange under the symbol (ORTE.CA, ORAT EY), and on the London Stock Exchange its GDR is traded under the symbol (ORTEq.L, OTLD LI).

Orascom in record issue ($102m) biggest corporate bond deal- Bangladesh

A mobile phone operator raised $102m through Bangladesh’s biggest corporate bond deal, in another sign that the country’s capital markets are flickering back into life.
Orascom Telecom Bangladesh, a subsidiary of Egypt’s Orascom Telecom, smashed the previous record just four months after Grameenphone, its larger rival, sold shares for $71m in the country’s largest initial public offering.
The two deals, while small in global terms, are an indication that investors are becoming more confident in Bangladesh, a country identified by Goldman Sachs as one of the N-11 (“Next Eleven”) markets to watch in the 21st century.
“Investor confidence is coming back,” said Shams Zaman, of Citi Bangladesh, which arranged the deal. “The Orascom bond shows that it’s possible to raise sizable amounts of financing from the local market.”
Other local companies are likely to sell bonds in the coming year, he added, from sectors including telecommunications, finance and pharmaceuticals.
Competition is heating up in Bangladesh’s telecoms sector – in January, Bharti Airtel, the Indian telecoms group, bought 70 per cent of Bangladesh’s Warid Telecom for an initial investment of $300m.
That followed a high-profile IPO by Grameenphone, Bangladesh’s biggest telecoms company, which raised $71m from local retail investors and a further $70m from selling shares to the country’s institutions.
Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus
Grameenphone is a joint venture between Norway’s Telenor and local microfinancier Grameen Bank, launched by Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus.
Orascom Telecom Bangladesh, which trades under the name Banglalink, plans to use the proceeds of its bond sale to invest in network equipment and expand in rural Bangladesh.
The amortising senior secured bonds are denominated in the Bangladeshi taka. They have a 13.5 per cent coupon rate payable every six months and are due in 2014.
The size of the offering was increased from Tk4.25bn ($62m) to Tk7.1bn due to “huge interest” from investors such as mutual funds, insurance companies and commercial banks, Mr Zaman said.
About Orascom

Orascom Telecom Holding S.A.E. (“Orascom Telecom” or “OTH”) was established in 1998 and has grown to become a major player in the global telecommunications market. OTH is considered among the largest and most diversified network operators in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Orascom Telecom is a leading mobile telecommunications company operating in eleven emerging markets having a population under license of 498 million with an average mobile telephony penetration of approximately 46% as of December 31st, 2008. Orascom Telecom operates GSM networks in Algeria (“OTA”), Pakistan (“Mobilink”), Egypt (“Mobinil”), Tunisia (“Tunisiana”), Bangladesh (“Banglalink”), and North Korea (“Koryolink”). OTH has an indirect equity ownership in Globalive Wireless which has been granted a spectrum license in Canada. OTH was also awarded the management contract of one of the two Lebanese mobile telecommunications operators (“Alfa”) from the government of the Republic of Lebanon. Through its subsidiary Telecel Globe, OTH also operates in Burundi, the Central African Republic, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Orascom Telecom had over 88 million subscribers as of September, 2009.
OTH’s first operation was the Egyptian Company for Mobile Services commonly known as (“Mobinil”). Mobinil is a market leader serving over 24.2 million subscribers representing a market share of 43.6% (as of September 2009). Mobinil is one of Egypt’s five largest companies on Cairo & Alexandria Stock Exchange (“CASE”) in terms of market capitalization.
OTH witnessed success as Orascom Telecom Algeria SPA (“Djezzy”) was launched in February 2002. It grew to become the market leader in terms of both subscriber numbers as well as the quality of telecommunications services provided. Djezzy serves over 14.7 million subscribers on its network and has a 62.9% market share (as of September 2009).
Orascom Telecom Tunisie (“Tunisiana”) launched its services in December 2002, and serves over 4.8 million subscribers on its network with a growing market share of 53% (as of September 2009).
In Pakistan, the Pakistan Mobile communications Ltd (“Mobilink”) started its operations in 1994. In April 2001, OTH took over management control of the company. As the market leader, Mobilink serves over 30 million subscribers, representing a market share of 30.9% (as of September 2009).
In September 2004, OTH purchased 100% of Sheba Telecom (Pvt.) Limited in Bangladesh. OTH re-branded and launched its services as “Banglalink” in February 2005. Immediately after the launch, OTH started its aggressive plans to develop Banglalink into a leader in the mobile sector by rapidly expanding its GSM network to provide high quality communications services at affordable prices. Banglalink serves over 12.1 million subscribers with 24.2% market share (as of September 2009).
In the beginning of 2009 OTH has been awarded the management contract of Alfa, one of two Lebanese mobile telecommunications operator, owned by the Republic of Lebanon. The management contract extends for one year and is renewable for another year. Under this contract, OTH is required to increase the number of subscribers of Alfa from around 600 thousand at the end of 2008 to around 1 million at the end of 2009.
Koryolink is the first 3G mobile network to operate in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“DPRK”) and is established as a joint venture between OTH (75%) and Korea Posts and Telecomm Corp. (KPTC) (25%). OTH was awarded the license to establish a 3G mobile network in DPRK in January 2008. Koryolink will deliver world-class voice and data communication services to the people of the DPRK.
OTH established a strong presence in the GSM Association (the world’s leading wireless industry representative body) only five years after its inception. OTH’s Chairman and CEO, Mr. Naguib Sawiris, was selected to join the GSM Association’s CEO Board in 2002. OTH is traded on the Cairo & Alexandria Stock Exchange under the symbol (ORTE.CA, ORAT EY), and on the London Stock Exchange its GDR is traded under the symbol (ORTEq.L, OTLD LI).