Banglalink, the second largest mobile operator in Bangladesh, has planned to invest more than US$300m by 2015 to develop its network, especially for 3G, reports Dhaka Tribune.
The mobile phone operator announced the investment plan at a press conference at a city hotel on Sunday.
Not only for facilitation of the 3G (third generation) mobile services, they would also work on modernising existing network, power savings and protecting environment to give users a better service through this process, the meeting was told.
A global leading technology vendor, Huawei, will work as the network developer of the operator to provide backbone facility to Banglalink for rolling out 3G mobile phone service across the country.
“We will invest $300m to increase our network capacity and Huawei will be our partner in this regard,” said Banglalink Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ziad Shatara.
Huawei CEO Zhouxin was present at the press conference where an agreement was signed between the two parties.
Replying to a question about participating in 3G auction, Ziad Shatara said: “Although there are some unresolved issues, they are preparing themselves. But lastly decision comes from the shareholders’ side.”
He said there is a dateline for resolving the issues, and after resolving them Banglalink management would then recommend its shareholders to go for it.
Banglalink thinks the agreement will be a huge milestone for the operator`s continuous network improvement activities. The Banglalink CEO said the network upgradation under this agreement will enable us to modernise the existing network and make it
3G-enabled. At the same time it would let us expand network coverage and increase overall network capacity.
Huawei CEO said its efficient solution will make the operator different from others. Banglalink is giving 2G (second generation) mobile phone service in the country since 2005.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Perihane Elhamy, Chief Commercial Officer Shihab Ahmad and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mohamed Osman from Banglalink and Huawei CTO Caoguiqi and other executives were present at the press conference.
The telecom operators are lobbying with the government offices to resolve some disputes prior to 3G auction, scheduled to take place on September 2.
