BTRC has started the process of revoking the licences of the country’s two biggest telecom operators, Grameenphone and Robi, for not paying dues to the national exchequer.
As per BTRC audit claim, GP has Tk 125.79 billion in dues to pay, including Tk 40.85 billion to the National Board of Revenue. Robi owes Tk 86.72 billion to the government, including Tk 19.72 billion to the revenue board.
The telecom regulator will serve show-cause notices on the two operators demanding the explanation on why their licences would not be revoked. The operators will be given 30 days to respond to the notices.
The BTRC has already received formal approval from the ministry of posts and telecommunications in this connection.
The punitive action is the third step after limiting bandwidth and withholding issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for the two telecom giants.
The show-cause notice will be served to the operators once the BTRC chairman returns home from Bhutan. Legal wing of BTRC is now checking details of the steps as it is a serious matter.
Earlier at a meeting on May 22, the BTRC had decided to adopt eight steps against the telecom operators, including stopping issuance of NOCs, stopping MNP portability, limiting new subscribers, stopping bandwidth from International Internet Gateway, limiting or stopping calls, stopping 4G and 3G services in certain areas of the country.
However, terming the audit claims disputed, both operators had been urging the BTRC to settle the issue through arbitration, which the latter refused arguing that the existing law does not allow it.
