Robi completes LTE trial in Dhaka

Bangladesh’s Robi Axiata is gearing up to launch 4G services after completing a successful trial of the technology in conjunction with Ericsson.

The operator conducted an LTE demonstration using a combination of 1800-MHz and 2100-MHz spectrum in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka, achieving download speeds of over 90Mbps.

Ericsson provided cutting-edge base station, radio units and baseband technologies for the trial, the companies said.

The demonstration was also intended to explore how the technology can help facilitate adoption of high-speed broadband applications including HDTV and videoconferencing.

“Although there are some barriers to the adoption of 4G/LTE technology such as low penetration of compatible smartphones, we recognize and appreciate our customers’ growing demand for high speed internet which can only be served using this technology,” Robi Axiata CEO Mahtab Uddin Ahmed said.

“Unfortunately, we feel the licensing framework proposed by the government make the business case for 4G unviable in Bangladesh. However, we are very keen on introducing this technology in our telecom market considering the customers’ interest… We hope the government will kindly consider revising the licensing framework to make it more enabling for 4G business.”

Last month, Bangladesh’s regulator prepared its guidelines for the proposed 4G licensing regime for the nation.

These include requiring operators to pay a 15% gross revenue share – compared to 5.5% for 2G and 3G services – as well as a 150 million taka ($1.8 million) 15-year license fee and a further 75 million taka in annual fees.

Bangladesh is the only country among its neighbors to have yet to introduce 4G services.