Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) -The state-run Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) on Monday announced the final guideline for sharing of infrastructures as a means of stimulating investment and growth in the telecommunication sector.
The BTRC came up with the guideline to encourage the mobile operators, internet service providers and others concerned to share infrastructures. This will help minimize costs and protect the environment, local media reported.
This is possible by reducing the proliferation of towers and facilities installation, the BTRC said in its guideline.
The guideline said one of the main objectives is to maximize the use of network facilities, enhance sharing and reduce duplication of investments for network facilities.
Infrastructure sharing requires leasing/renting out/swapping of infrastructure on a non-discriminatory basis to other service providers, according to the guideline.
The commission said it wants to promote the availability of wide range of high quality, efficient, cost effective and competitive telecommunication services throughout Bangladesh by ensuring optimum utilization of telecommunication resources.
The BTRC felt that sharing of infrastructures would protect the environment by reducing the land use as well as infrastructure and facilities installations thereby not changing the aesthetics of the country's landscape.
The guideline said infrastructure sharing will be provided based on the principles of neutrality, non-discrimination, equal access and fair play.
The commission also said sharing of infrastructure would optimize the operators' capital expenditure significantly.
BBN/SI/SI/AD-09September08-9:26 AM