Augere Wireless Launches WiMax on Trial in Dhaka

Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh Ltd, one of the two WiMax licensees, launched high-speed broadband internet services yesterday on a trial basis with a focus for commercial operations.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith inaugurated the wireless internet technology, which will initially be launched in some areas of Gulshan and Banani on trial.

WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless digital communication system that can provide broadband wireless access across 30 miles for fixed phone and 3-10 miles for mobile stations.

Three bidders — BanglaLion Communication, BRAC BD Mail Network Ltd and Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh Ltd — won the WiMax licences through an auction organised by Bangla-desh Telecommuni-cation Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in September last year. However, BRAC later refused to take the licence.

The Tk 215 crore bid price had become a ‘double bind’ for both the telecom regulator and licensees. The regulator extended the deadline for launching WiMax services several times.

UK-based Augere Holdings owns 60 percent of Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh Ltd along with two other local companies. Teleport Bangladesh owns 30 percent and Aamra Resources Ltd owns 10 percent in the company.

“Technology must be welcomed, but we should avoid a digital divide. WiMax is a technology that can be availed anywhere,” he said.

Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju, telecommunication minister, Abul Kalam Azad, information minister, Zia Ahmed, BTRC chairman, and Jerry Mobbs, chief executive officer of Augere Bangladesh, were also present at the launch at the Westin Dhaka.

“The real internet experience is here,” said Sanjiv Ahuja, chairman and chief executive officer of Augere Holdings.

Augere Bangladesh is poised to meet demand for the internet using WiMax technology, he said.

Bangladesh, with the lowest internet penetration in the world at 4 percent, will be exposed to high-speed wireless internet by the launch of the WiMax technology. At present, the country has four million internet users.

source: thedailystar.net

BTRC Chairman Major General Manzurul Alam quits

Feb 10, 2009

BTRC chairman Manzurul Alam has resigned, the telecoms minister said.

Minister Raziuddin Ahmed Razu told bdnews24.com Tuesday afternoon he had received the letter of resignation from the former major general.

Alam was given the crucial job by the military-controlled caretaker government in April, 2007.

The tough-talking former army Signals officer courted controversy through his handling of the licencing process, and many alleged he failed to follow his own guidelines in awarding lucrative licenses.

Alam, then a brigadier, also served as a director at the spy outfit DGFI in the mid-1990s.

As allegations surfaced of his “unfair dealings” about award of International Internet Gateway (IIG) and WiMAX licences, the BTRC chief was apparently asked to quit to avoid further controversy surrounding the key regulatory agency.

courtesy: bdnews24.com