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BBTT will now launch handyphone in Nov

Delay in getting licence staggers process

By Monjur Mahmud
Bangladesh Broadcasting Telephone and Technology (BBTT). a local private telecom operator, has shifted the launching schedule of its new phone -- Personal Handyphone System (PHS) -- to November this year
The company earlier had plans to go into trial operation from June 23. 2000 and commercial operation in September. But delayed receipt of its license on -July 9. 2000. four-and-a-half months behind the schedule, frustrated the compa-
ny's move to launch the phone on schedule. The operational agreement with the telecom authority will also be signed next week.
"We were supposed to get the licence In February this year, but we only got It last Sunday. Due to the delay In receiving the licence, we were compelled to shift our work plans accordingly.” said MK Bazlur Rahman.'' President anil CEO of BBTT.
According to the changed schedule, the company Is now
planning Io market Its PHS sets in November this year.
For its own network, the company has already completed two exchanges (cell stations) at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and Gulshan. Installation works of two more exchanges at Uttara and Chakbazar are also going on.
A Japan-Bangladesh Joint team Is working to set up 14 exchanges in Dhaka city. Rahman stated, adding the company has been permitted to sell 20&.000
PUS sets. In the first phase, it will market 30.000 sets.
We need more lime for developing a multi-exchange network. BBTT wants to go into commercial operation after completion of Its own ceil station network." Rahman said BBTT subscribers Will be advised to operate PITS sets Methin its own network, he said.
PHS, a Japanese technology, can transfer data at a speed ol 32 kbps from one computer to another and send e-mails.
A person will have Io pay Tk 12.000 to Tk 15,000 for a complete PITS package including the phone set. security money and connection fee.
With a line rent of Tk 200 per month, there will be no Incoming charges for PHS phones and a subscriber will have to pay Tk two for a three-minute call. For every additional minute of talk-time, he will have to pay Tk 0.50.
Under a joint operation with Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB). the PHS service will work only within its network in the capital city and BTTB would get 51 per cent of the total revenue without making any investment.
A number, of Japanese companies have formed a consortium to provide financial and technical assistance to BBTT for tlie project with an investment of Tk 805 crore.