The telecom regulator plans to concentrate on market equilibrium in the telecommunication sector to break the uneven market share of mobile network operators (MNOs).
Officials said Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) was going to implement the legal framework dubbed ‘significant market power (SMP)’ as early as possible for the purpose.
BTRC chairman Md Zahurul Haque said they would finalise the mode of SMP implementation in the next commission meeting.
‘No more monopoly would exist in the telecommunication market after the implementation of the SMP,’ he added.
Meanwhile, BTRC prepared a set of policy guidelines for MNOs to promote fair competition in telecommunications industry by creating a level playing field.
In November 2018, BTRC issued a gazette notification regarding the SMP. The guidelines said an operator should be considered an SMP if its market share is above 40 per cent.
As per the new guidelines, BTRC officials said, leading mobile phone operator Grameenpnone would be considered as an SMP for having 45.8 per cent market share. Besides, the second largest operator Robi has 30 per cent stake in the market followed by Banglalink 22 per cent and Teletalk has only 2.5 per cent.
If any operator violates the guidelines, the commission will take action as per Section 64 of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Act, 2001 (amended 2010). It also allows the regulator to impose a fine of up to Tk 300 crore and a five-year jail term in case of non-payment of the fine within the timeframe set by the commission, they added.
After spending a long time, the guidelines have been finalised with everyone’s opinion. Although some market players will be affected commercially all have agreed on it for the sake of fair market competition.
Earlier in 2011, BTRC had planned to launch the SMP and prepared the guidelines. Later, on August 21, 2011, the guidelines were sent to the posts and telecommunications division for approval.
Source: http://www.newagebd.net/article/62781/btrc-to-focus-on-telcos-market-equilibrium