32 firms to get IP telephony

Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju, post and telecommunications minister, Zia Ahmed, chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, and Muneer Farooqui, chief executive officer of Warid Telecom, attend a programme to relaunch Warid with a new logo in Dhaka yesterday.Photo: STARStar Business Report

As many as 32 local internet service providers will be awarded IP telephony licences, opening up voice calls through internet protocol (VoIP), usage of which prohibited in Bangladesh just a few days back.

"We have issued 32 IP telephony licences, which will come into operation soon," said Zia Ahmed, chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), at the launch of new brand identity of a private mobile phone operator in Dhaka yesterday.

More IP telephony licences soon, the telecom watchdog chief told journalists at the function.

IP telephony is a general term used to describe the technology that uses the internet protocol's packet-switched connection to exchange voice, fax and other forms of information services.

The Warid Telecom's re-launch came with a changed logo and new brand promises reflecting and symbolising the strategic transformation of the company to become a telecom customer-centric organisation in the country.

The new logo reiterates the values Warid is known for: Simplicity, Honesty, Innovation, Quality, Dynamic and Friendly.

Speaking on the occasion, Post and Telecommunications Minister Rajiuddin Ahmed Raju praised the Warid network expansion plan.

He said, “This kind of step by Warid will accelerate the process of implementing a Digital Bangladesh.”

Warid CEO Muneer Farooqui said, “The new brand and logo, being the symbol of recognition, will portray a uniform brand image and identity of Warid Group.”

Launched in May 2007, Warid has more than 2.5 million active subscribers. The company has so far invested around $600 million on network and infrastructures, paid Tk 650 crore to the government exchequer in the form of taxes and took part in various social initiatives as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Talking to the Daily Star yesterday M A Salam, owner of Agni Systems, a IP licensee, said the introduction of IP telephony will provide cost effective voice facilities along with other unique features that are comparatively expensive to provide by mobile or landline operators.

Compared to other countries, Bangladesh is a late entrant to the world of IP telephony. Worldwide traditional phone technologies are being replaced with IP-based operations.

Salam said in the subcontinent, except Pakistan, all other nations are enjoying IP telephony facilities. "The main advantage of IP phone is that it offers low-cost phone service," he said.

The IP telephony market will be competitive, as customers have to pay a nominal charge to enjoy voice call services, Salam said.

He said the additional charge for use of the IP telephony would not matter as internet users are used to paying charges on a monthly basis.

In Bangladesh, around 10 lakh people are connected to the internet through members of the ISP association.

Licence owners will also be able to provide PC (personal computer) to phone, phone to PC, phone to phone or any other use to subscribers, based on the IP telephony voice service.

From a technical point of view, experts said, the VoIP is going to be partially open as IP and VoIP technologies have nearly same features.

By issuing IP licences, transmitting voice through the internet protocol will be allowed but the use of VSAT for routing voice for commercial use will still be treated as illegal.

According to the BTRC, a total of 200 ISP licences have so far been issued, whereas only 70 operators are providing services. Around a million people have internet access.