Move to revoke GP, Robi’s 2G-3G licences

Grameenphone and Robi’s clash with the telecom regulator became more heated yesterday after they were slapped with show-cause notices enquiring why their 2G and 3G licences should not be cancelled for their failure to pay unpaid dues unearthed by audit.  

According to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s audits into the two operators’ books from their inception until December 2014, Grameenphone has Tk 12,579.95 crore pending and Robi Tk 867.24 crore.

Both the operators vehemently dispute the amounts and thus far have turned a deaf ear to the regulator’s repeated claims.

“This is public money and we have tried to realise it several times,” said Md Jahurul Haque, chairman of the telecom watchdog, while confirming sending the latest show-cause notices.

But the operators have wasted time in the name of consultation, which is not permitted in the telecom act, he said